GIFT  OF 


H 


JOB 


HIS  OLD  FRIENDS 
AND  HIS  NEW  FRIEND 


ALSO 


A  STUDY  OF  WHAT 

THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  MEANS  SPIRITUALLY, 
TO  ALL  MANKIND 


BY   A   PLAIN  MAN,  WHO   HAS  ABOUT  FINISHED 

WITH    WHAT   IS    CALLED    BUSINESS,    AND 

WRITES    FROM    EXPERIENCES,  NOT 

ENTIRELY  UNLIKE  THOSE  OF 

JOB 


Published  from  a  thankful  sense 
of  duty  which  the  writer  owes 
to  God  our  Father,  to  Christ  our 
Saviour,  and  to  our  fellow  men 


By   JOHN    S.  HAWLEY 

"LET  YOUR  LIGHT  SHINE" 

Fourth  Thousand 


Press  of 

FRYE   &   SMITH 

San  Diego,  Cal. 


Copyright.  1912 

By  JOHN  S.  HAWLEY 

San  Diego,  California 

All  rights  reserved 


MISTAKEN  JOB 

\Vandering  in  tke  wilderness — 

^^orskiping  tke  worldly  god — 

Deceived  by  Bekemotk — 

Overpowered  ky  Leviatkan — 

Finally  sees  tne  guiding  ligkt  of  Spirit  and  becomes 

REDEEMED  JOB 

Purified  tkrougk  suffering — 
Ckastened  tkrougk  experience — 
Awakened  by  tke  forerunner — 
Instructed  by  tke  Voice — 
lastly  exemplifies  and  illustrates 

REGENERATED  MAN,  "BORN  AGAIN" 

Redeemed,  and  made  free  tkrougk  Trutk — Spirit. 

"Ye  shall  know  the  Truth— (Spirit) 
And  the  Truth  shall  maJte  you  free  !" 


304027 


let 


Physical  Man 

"Our  Frame." 

Our  Earthly  House. 

Dust  of  the  Ground. 

Visible. 

Subject  to  Disease. 
Mortal. 


^w 


2nd 


3rd 


The  Human  Mind. 

The  "Unreliable." 

The  Adam  Man. 

Of  Evil." 

Invisible. 

Subject  to  Sin. 

Must  be  subdued, 

and  redeemed. 


Spiritual  Man. 

Created  by  God. 

"Image  and  Likeness." 

Perfect  and  Immortal. 

Invisible. 

Not  Subject  to  Sin, 
Disease  nor  Death. 


Both  these  are  of  the  earth,  earthy. 


PROPORTIONAL  MAN;  HIS  SELFHOOD. 

This  idea  is  derived  from  an  experience  that  came 
to  the  author  in  his  early  life,  though  not  then  com- 
prehended. It  is  supported  by  observations  and  recol- 
lections during  seventy  years,  while  controlled  by  the 
"Unreliable." 

Spiritual  Man,  does  not  plan,  scheme  or  plot,  but 
his  thoughts  are  in  accord  with  Spirit,  God,  whose 
likeness  he  is. 


EXPLANATION. 

1st  Line — Fleshly  man;  man  that  is  born  of  woman; 
of  few  days;  flesh  and  blood;  the  temporary  home  of 
both  the  human  mind  and  the  Spiritual  Man;  the  house 
which  neither  sees,  hears  nor  understands;  the  "flesh 
which  profiteth  nothing;"  like  a  cancelled  envelope; 
rubbish  after  having  served  its  purpose.  (Ps.  103 :  14, 
15,  16.) 

2nd  Line — Reasoning  man;  the  schemer;  the  un- 
likeness  of  God;  the  Adam-man — married  to  a  part  of 
his  own  humanity  (his  "rib") ;  the  carnal  mind,  not 
subject  to  the  law  of  Good;  the  blind  assuming  to  lead 
the  blind;  the  Sinner;  the  Cain;  selfish;  crooked;  im- 
pure; presumptuous;  changeable;  a  temporary  usurper; 
sometimes  right,  but  more  frequently  wrong;  placing 
"knowledge"  before  wisdom;  boastful;  proud  (See  1st 
Tim.  6:4  and  5);*  willing  to  confer  with  Satan;  seeing 
his  wants  but  not  knowing  his  needs;  "darkness  rather 
than  light";  a  dealer  in  troubles;  a  money  changer; 
developing  and  decaying,  as  the  man  of  dust,  for  he  is 
born  of  the  flesh  and  would  defile  the  temple  of  the 
living  God.  This  is  the  "unreliable"  self. 

The  1st  and  2nd  lines  relate  to  humanity — that  is, 
the  human  body  and  the  physical  senses. 

3rd  Line — The  Real  MAN,  having  Life  eternal;  the 
image  and  likeness  of  God;  the  "inner  man";  "Spirit"; 
the  perfect  and  immortal;  the  apparent  "sleeper"  that 
must  be  awakened;  the  new  man;  the  True  Man;  the 
Christ-like  element  which  must  have  dominion  over 

*He  is  proud,  knowing  nothing,  but  doting  about  questions  and 
strifes  of  words,  whereof  cometh  envy,  strife,  railings,  evil  surmisings. 
Perverse  disputes  of  men  of  corrupt  minds,  and  destitute  of  the  truth, 
supposing  that  gain  is  godliness.  (1  Tim.  6:4-5.) 


all,  from  the  "fish  of  the  sea"  to  "every  creeping  thing 
that  creepeth  upon  the  earth!"  (Gen.  1:26.)  "Thy 
righteousness  and  Thy  judgment"  (Ps.  37:6),  which 
must  be  developed;  the  reflection  of  Life;  Spirit; 
Truth.  This  is  the  "reliable"  self. 

As  man  advances  in  the  "Truth  that  shall  make  him 
free,"  the  3rd  line  will  be  the  enduring,  and  finally  will 
illustrate  the  Bible  declaration,  "the  last  shall  be  first." 
To  the  Real  Man  belongs  Spiritual  sight  and  hearing. 

"The  first  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthy;  the  second 
man  is  the  Lord  from  Heaven."  (1st  Cor.  15:47.) 

The  true  lesson  of  this  concept  is  the  superiority  of 
the  Spiritual  over  the  material;  of  Wisdom  over  knowl- 
edge; of  Truth  over  theory.  Spiritual  wisdom,  comes 
through  inspiration  and  revelation,  a  divine  source,  al- 
ways unerringly  true;  from  Spirit,  which  is  God.  So 
has  it  been  from  the  beginning  even  till  now! 

It  should  be  man's  sincere  desire  and  prayer,  that 
his  reasoning  element  should  give  place  to  that  which 
is  Spiritual.  "The  Kingdom  of  God  is  at  hand",  said 
John.  "Where?  Where?"  says  the  reasoner.  "I  see  it 
not!"  But  the  Master  says,  "The  Kingdom  of  God  is 
within  you!" 

Look  for  it  there!  Your  Spiritual  eye,  may  behold 
it,  and  your  Spiritual  ear,  may  hear  its  voice. 

THE  PROUD— "UNRELIABLE." 

The  Deviator.  "His  Days  Are  as  Grass." 

Human  knowledge,  comes  from  a  human  source 
called  thought,  against  which  Jesus  warns  mankind  in 
the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  (Matt.  5:37;  6:27-34).  This 
thought  is  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  knowledge,  and 


though  it  clothes  itself  with  what  it  is  pleased  to  call 
learning,  with  its  numberless  offsprings  and  subdi- 
visions, yet  is  it  unsubstantial,  because  it  is  liable  to 
change,  and  therefore  uncertain  and  not  to  be  depended 
upon.  Many  things  which  it  considered  in  the  past  as 
truths,  it  now  regards  as  fallacies.  Even  the  mind  of 
the  greatest  human  philosopher  is  often  mistaken,  and 
when  it  quietly  looks  at  itself  in  the  mirror  of  truth,  it 
beholds  its  own  deformity.  The  thinking  man  (human) 
"is  of  the  earth,  earthy."  He  is  the  counterfeit  of 
truth;  human  will,  would  bandage  the  eyes  of  truth. 
His  aim  is  not  freedom,  but  slavery  to  the  senses.  He 
claims  to  be  king  of  the  earth. 

It  is  plain  that  the  human  body  is  but  "our  frame". 
(Ps.  103:14.)  All  will  admit  that  there  is  no  conscious- 
ness in  flesh  or  bone,  apart  from  what  we  call  mind. 

Can  we  not  distinguish  between  the  fleshly  or 
human  mind  that  is  within  us — and  the  Spiritual  mind 
which  men  often  speak  of  as  the  Soul?  We  can  com- 
prehend to  an  extent,  something  of  the  workings  and 
methods  of  this  human  mind;  but  of  Soul,  how  little 
we  understand!  And  yet  who  would  be  willing  to  be 
without  this  higher  element? 

Paul  testifies  to  the  absolute  separateness  and  dif- 
ference between  these  two  varying  elements  that  war 
for  control. 

"The  wisdom  of  this  world,  is  foolishness  with  God: 
for  it  is  written,  he  taketh  the  wise  in  their  own  crafti- 
ness:"*— "The  Lord  knoweth  the  thoughts  of  the  wise 
that  they  are  vain."  "Your  faith  should  not  stand  in 
the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God." 

*This  is  from  Job,  5:13,  but  quoted  by  Paul  in  1st  Cor.  3:19. 
This  shows  that  Paul  studied  Job. 


Throughout  the  writings  of  the  prophets  and  apos- 
tles and  throughout  the  wonderful  revelations  that  are 
given  to  us  through  the  testimony  of  inspired  Paul, 
the  predominating  idea  of  that  which  is  Spiritual,  over 
that  which  is  physical  or  mental,  is  more  and  more  un- 
folded to  those  who  really  study  the  sacred  pages  of 
the  Bible. 

"It  is  written,  I  will  destroy  the  wisdom  of  the  wise, 
and  will  bring  to  nothing  the  understanding  of  the 

prudent Hath  not  God  made  foolish  the  wisdom 

of  the  world?"  (1st  Cor.  1:19-20.) 

And  above  all  are  the  distinct  declarations  of  Jesus 
the  Christ  whose  words  were  "Spirit  and  Life!" 

Let  him  who  criticizes  the  diagram  on  a  page  pre- 
ceding, try  to  make  one,  that  shall  be  more  correct. 
It  may  be  possible;  though  the  writer  hereof  is  unable 
to  accomplish  it.  Please  remember,  it  is  sketched  out 
only  for  comparative  illustration,  to  plain  readers  and 
lovers  of  the  Bible.  Absolute  correctness,  is  not 
claimed. 


PREFACE 

Let  me  not  be  presumptuous.  Let  me  not  depend 
only  upon  opinions  formed  within  my  own  human 
thought.  Let  me  be  not  governed  by  selfishness,  nor 
a  willingness  to  disregard  the  opinions  of  others,  whose 
beliefs  are  expressed  in  earnestness  and  sincerity. 
Neither  let  me  insist  on  my  own  correctness.  Rather 
do  I  pray  for  guidance,  from  a  source  higher  than  hu- 
man understanding.  While  desiring  to  be  considerate 
to  all  who  have  sought  or  are  seeking  a  true  under- 
standing of  the  Bible,  I  am  unable  always  to  agree 
with  them;  therefore  it  becomes  my  duty  to  reply: 
''Let  us  choose  to  us  judgment;  let  us  know  among  our- 
selves what  is  good."  (Job  34:4.)  I  have  listened  to 
them  for  many  years,  and  will  be  thankful  if  they  will 
listen  to  me,  while  I  do  my  best  to  explain  a  concept 
of  the  meaning  of  one  of  the  books  of  the  Bible,  which 
differs  somewhat  from  theirs. 

This  I  know.  Within  the  past  seven  years,  events 
have  come  into  my  experience  that  are  of  great  import- 
at  least  to  me,  though  only  in  part  understood.  Whether 
they  may  or  may  not  be  of  use  to  others,  is  of  course, 
for  them  to  decide. 

Nearly  all  Christians  have  read  the  Book  of  Job. 
Some  peruse  it  from  a  sense  of  duty  and  gain  almost 
nothing  therefrom.  Some  read  it  through  curiosity, 
as  we  look  at  beautiful  scenery  and  become  more  in- 
terested. Some  of  the  learned,  consider  it  only  a  poem. 

9 


10  PREFACE 

But  the  man  who  really  studies  it  from  an  earnest  de- 
sire to  learn  its  meaning,  will  be  abundantly  repaid  for 
whatever  time  he  may  devote  to  it.  No  man  can  com- 
prehend it,  except  through  earnest  application. 

A  philosopher  writes  of  philosophy,  though  never 
claiming  to  fully  understand  his  subject.  An  elec- 
trician speaks  of  electricity,  while  realizing  he  knows 
only  the  rudiments  of  its  force.  A  chemist  observes 
certain  effects,  but  can  only  partially  explain  them.  So 
also  a  student  of  the  Bible,  or  one  of  its  grand  books, 
must  confess  that  he  comprehends  but  a  part  of  its 
meaning.  However,  there  always  may  be  value  in  hon- 
est deductions.  No  man  can  claim  perfection,  but  im- 
provement is  open  to  all. 

Those  who  read  the  Book  of  Job,  and  even  those 
who  desire  to  study  it,  are  apt  to  look  for  its  grandest 
lessons  in  the  arguments  and  sayings  of  the  subject  and 
his  three  old  companions,  in  which  there  is  so  much  to 
engage  attention;  so  much  of  reasoning,  so  many  com- 
parisons, so  many  aphorisms,  and  so  large  an  amount 
of  good  advice  withal.  Absorbed  with  thoughts  of 
these  and  perhaps  a  little  wearied  with  them,  they  are 
inclined  to  hurry  through  what  is  said  by  the  young  man 
Elihu,  and  are  unconsciously  impressed  with  the  idea 
that  he  merely  continues  the  reproving  sayings  of  the 
older  men. 

Such  readers  or  students  fail  to  comprehend  this 
ancient  forerunner,  who  was  sent  to  speak  "in  God's 
stead,"  (Chap.  33:6).  So  far  as  I  know,  this  affirmation 
of  Elihu  is  either  denied  or  ignored  by  practically  all 
t  sectarians.  Those  who  so  deny  or  ignore,  have  a  right 
to  their  opinions,  but  the  writer  can  neither  agree  with 


PREFACE  11 

them  nor  admit  their  value,  for  from  such  careful  study 
as  is  possible  for  him,  comes  the  belief  that  the  grand- 
est words  of  instruction  in  the  book  of  Job,  are  found 
in  the  words  of  Elihu,  and  in  those  which  followed 
from  the  Voice  "out  of  the  whirlwind."  There  also 
comes  to  him  the  further  belief  that  the  book  of  Job 
allegorically  illustrates  and  exemplifies  the  coming  of 
the  Christ,  to  man  and  mankind,  in  all  ages;  the  for- 
ever Christ  who  was  "before  Abraham"  and  "before 
the  world  was."  In  this  view  the  book  (or  poem)  may 
be  justly  considered  as  a  dramatic  prophesy  of  the 
coming  of  the  Master;  the  coming  of  the  Saviour! 

Furthermore,  I  believe  the  book  typifies  the  regen- 
eration and  final  redemption  of  all  of  Adam's  mistaken 
and  sinning  race,  through  the  discernment  and  realiza- 
tion of  the  ever-present  influence  of  that  power  which 
comes  to  man  from  God  (Good),  through  the  Christ — 
the  Saviour  who  said,  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world."  This  influence,  to  human 
eyes  unseen  and  by  human  understanding  scarcely  rec- 
ognized, is  only  developed  through  a  Spiritual  awaken- 
ing, such  as  came  to  Job  from  the  wonderful  speech  of 
Elihu,  whose  inspired  words  were  far  in  advance  of 
those  who  had  preceded  him.  This  culminating  speech 
enabled  Job  to  discern  the  voice  of  Truth.  But  Jesus 
said,  "Elias  truly  shall  first  come." 

Perhaps  even  those  who  have  tried  to  read  and 
study  the  Bible  with  closest  care,  may  incline  to  pass 
lightly  over  the  speech  of  Elihu,  because  he  begins  in 
a  manner  so  boyish  and  unpresuming.  He  expresses 
modesty,  sympathy  and  kindness,  which  gracefully 
change  to  steadiness  and  firmness,  as  he  answers  the 


12  PREFACE 

four  older  men,  with  "knowledge  from  afar,"  which 
soon  engages  their  amazed  and  attentive  interest.  And 
as  he  proceeds  this  interest  increases.  And  so,  even 
in  this  age,  those  who  will  read,  and  carefully  study 
the  chapters  of  the  book  of  Job  from  the  32nd  to  the 
37th,  inclusive,  may  indeed  find  a  forerunner  of  the  un- 
derstanding of  Spiritual  Truth,  a  gleam  of  dawn,  which 
precedes  and  portends  the  coming  of  day.  Even  as 
this  dawning  came  to  Job,  thousands  of  years  ago,  so  it 
may  come  in  every  age  to  the  sincerely  earnest  seeker 
for  Spiritual  light,  which  "shineth  in  darkness;  and  the 
darkness  comprehended  it  not."  For  as  John  the  Bap- 
tist was  a  surprise  to  the  Rabbis,  Priests  and  Scribes 
of  his  day,  who  could  not  comprehend  him  but  yet  stood, 
in  awe  of  him  because  of  his  acknowledged  Spirituality, 
so  were  Job  and  his  old  companions  "amazed"  at  the 
effrontery  of  Elihu,  who  spoke  with  more  authority 
than  they  had  ever  witnessed. 

They  were  "amazed"  that  a  mere  youth  or  boy, 
could  utter  words  flowing  forth  from  a  Spiritual  source. 
Perhaps  even  this  Spiritually  guided  herald,  with  a 
message  from  on  high,  was  "amazed"  at  the  expres- 
sions of  his  own  lips  and  tongue ! 

In  publishing  this  book,  it  is  right  to  say  that  any 
man  who  has  encountered  and  survived  suffering,  pain, 
discouragement  and  despair,  "so  that  his  life  abhorreth 
bread,"  and  "which  long  for  death,  but  it  cometh  not," 
should  be  better  prepared  to  study  and  comprehend 
Job  than  those  who  have  not  passed  through  such  con- 
ditions. The  school  of  experience  closes  not  its  doors. 
My  reason  for  this  undertaking  is  to  bring  out  an  un- 
derstanding of  the  book,  which  is  built  upon  and  sus- 


PREFACE  13 

tained  by  experience,  even  more  than  by  study,  and 
grander  far  than  experience  is  revelation. 

It  is  said  that  there  is  a  certain  amount  of  selfish- 
ness in  every  human  act.  I  will  not  deny  the  assertion 
nor  waste  time  in  considering  its  truth  or  untruth.  But 
this  I  am  happy  to  realize,  namely:  if  selfishness  has 
anything  to  do  with  my  motive,  it  is  only  in  minimum 
proportion.  For,  to  all  human  appearance,  I  am  an 
old  man,  well  past  "three  score  and  ten."  My  brothers, 
most  of  my  old  friends,  and  all  of  my  cousins  (of  whom 
there  were  about  fifty)  have  passed  beyond  this  stage 
of  existence,  and  I  am  left  standing  alone,  like  an  old 
tree — though  with  still  a  few  green  leaves. 

Where  are  these  associates  of  my  younger  days? 
Am  I  given  a  possible  reminder  of  them  in  the  words; 
"He  shall  give  his  angels  charge  over  thee  to  keep  thee 
in  all  thy  ways.  They  shall  bear  thee  up"?  (Ps.  91: 
11-12.) 

I  have  little  or  no  ambition  for  personal  advance- 
ment, neither  does  "poverty  or  riches"  disturb  or  in- 
fluence me  (Prov.  30:8).  I  am  better  off  than  the  great 
bankers  and  capitalists  of  Europe  or  America,  for  I 
have  enough,  while  they  have  too  much.  Pity  these 
poor  men!  Accumulating  superfluous  money  is  worse 
than  gathering  garlands  of  weeds.  Aye,  far  worse,  for 
the  weeds  would  not  be  likely  to  do  harm,  but  such 
money  may  be  a  curse. 

So  far  as  I  can  understand,  the  motive  for  publish- 
ing this  book  is  unselfish  and  springs  purely  and  hap- 
pily from  a  desire  to  benefit  my  fellow  man.  With  such 
resources  of  language  as  are  herein  embodied,  I  have 
endeavored  to  do  my  duty.  I  appreciate  theology,  the 


14  PREFACE 

churches,  schools  and  colleges,  in  that  which  is  prac- 
tical and  useful,  to  the  end  that  "all  things  be  done  de- 
cently and  in  order."  Nevertheless,  the  needs  of  hu- 
manity are  not  fully  met  today  by  pulpit  oratory,  or 
literary  pride,  which  not  infrequently  draw  their  vota- 
ries away  from  obedience  to  the  first  commandment. 
Human  intelligence  is  running  away  with  itself.  Hu- 
man intelligence  has  little  or  no  regard  for  Spiritual 
Truth ! 

But  if  a  man  shall  speak  or  write  solely  from  sin- 
cere desire  to  do  that  which  may  be  useful,  I  believe 
he  will  not  only  do  his  best,  but  he  will  be  aided  through 
ideas  that  come  from  the  infinite  source  of  all  good. 
His  earnest  and  unselfish  desire  for  betterment  to  all, 
is  a  constant  prayer.  And  more  and  more,  as  he  pro- 
ceeds, will  he  depend  upon  and  be  aided  by,  this  stead- 
fast desire;  which  is  more  than  human. 

Just  what  influence  has  induced  me  to  work  in  this 
field,  I  cannot  describe;  but  I  am  conscious  of  support 
from  an  honest  endeavor  to  labor  for  the  right.  The 
work  has  been  done  mostly  in  the  early  hours  of  the 
morning,  and  has  been  a  pleasant  experience. 

Criticism,  always  looking  for  defects,  will,  of  course, 
find  them.  That  they  are  many,  is  indeed  more  than 
probable,  for  no  book  is  perfect.  But  hoping  and  trust- 
ing in  the  Divine  Power,  I  also  hope  and  trust  that 
those  readers  who  are  looking  for  the  good  and  true, 
will  not  be  entirely  disappointed.  Let  us  all  try  to  get 
on  the  right  side  of  things. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


The  book  divides  itself  into  four   parts  : 

First,  the  story  of  human  troubles. 
Second,  the  story  of  human  reasoning. 
Third,  the  dawning  of  Spiritual  light. 

Fourth,  the  unfolding  of  spiritual  under- 
standing with  its  Divine,  unerring  and 
unmistakable  proof  of  the  vast  superi- 
ority of  that  which  is  Spiritual,  over 
that  which  is  obtained  through  or  by 
human  reason. 

This  is  the  grand  lesson,  of  regenerated 
Job,  to  mankind ! 


16 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

CHAPTER  1. 

THERE  was  a  man  in  the  land  of  Uz,  whose  name  was  Job ;  and 
that  man  was  perfect  and  upright,  and  one  that  feared  God, 
and  eschewed  evil. 

2  And  there    were    born    unto    him    seven    sons    and   three 
daughters. 

3  His  substance   also   was  seven  thousand  sheep,   and  three 
thousand  camels,  and  five  hundred  yoke  of  oxen,  and  five  hundred 
she  asses,  and  a  very  great  household;  so  that  this  man  was  the 
greatest  of  all  the  men  of  the  east. 

4  And  his  sons  went  and  feasted  in  their  houses,  every  one  his 
day;  and  sent  and  called  for  their  three  sisters  to  eat  and  to  drink 
with  them. 

5  And  it  was  so,  when  the  days  of  their  feasting  were  gone 
about,  that  Job  sent  and  sanctified  them,  and  rose  up  early  in  the 
morning,  and  offered  burnt  offerings  according  to  the  number  of 
them  all:  for  Job  said,  It  may  be  that  my  sons  have  sinned,  and 
cursed  God  in  their  hearts.    Thus  did  Job  continually. 

6  If  Now  there  was  a  day  when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  present 
themselves  before  the  LORD,  and  Satan  came  also  among  them. 

7  And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  Whence  comest  thou  ?    Then 
Satan  answered  the  LORD,  and  said,  From  going  to  and  fro  in  the 
earth,  and  from  walking  up  and  down  in  it. 

8  And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  Hast  thou  considered  my 
servant  Job,  that  there  is  none  like  him  in  the  earth,  a  perfect  and 
an  upright  man,  one  that  f eareth  God,  and  escheweth  evil  ? 

9  Then  Satan  answered  the  LORD,  and  said,  Doth  Job  fear  God 
for  nought  ? 

17 


18  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

10  Hast  not  thou  made  an  hedge  about  him,  and  about  his 
house,  and  about  all  that  he  hath  on  every  side?  thou  hast  blessed 
the  work  of  his  hands,  and  his  substance  is  increased  in  the  land. 

11  But  put  forth  thine  hand  now,  and  touch  all  that  he  hath, 
and  he  will  curse  thee  to  thy  face. 

12  And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  Behold,  all  that  he  hath  is 
in  thy  power;  only  upon  himself  put  not  forth  thine  hand.     So 
Satan  went  forth  from  the  presence  of  the  LORD. 

13  If  And  there  was  a  day  when  his  sons  and  his  daughters  were 
eating  and  drinking  wine  in  their  eldest  brother's  house: 

14  And  there  came  a  messenger  unto  Job,  and  said,  The  oxen 
were  plowing,  and  the  asses  feeding  beside  them: 

15  And  the  Sabeans  fell  upon  them,  and  took  them  away ;  yea, 
they  have  slain  the  servants  with  the  edge  of  the  sword ;  and  I  only 
am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 

16  While  he  was  yet  speaking,  there  came  also  another,  and 
said,  The  fire  of  God  is  fallen  from  heaven,  and  hath  burned  up 
the  sheep,  and  the  servants,  and  consumed  them;  and  I  only  am 
escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 

17  While  he  was  yet  speaking,  there  came  also  another,  and 
said,  The  Chaldeans  made  out  three  bands,  and  fell  upon  the  camels, 
and  have  carried  them  away,  yea,  and  slain  the  servants  with  the 
edge  of  the  sword;  and  I  only  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 

18  While  he  was  yet  speaking,  there  came  also  another,  and 
said,  Thy  sons  and  thy  daughters  were  eating  and  drinking  wine 
in  their  eldest  brother's  house: 

19  And,  behold,  there  came  a  great  wind  from  the  wilderness, 
and  smote  the  four  corners  of  the  house,  and  it  fell  upon  the  young 
men,  and  they  are  dead ;  and  I  only  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee. 

20  Then  Job  arose,  and  rent  his  mantle,  and  shaved  his  head, 
and  fell  down  upon  the  ground,  and  worshipped, 

21  And  said,  Naked  came,  I  out  of  my  mother's  womb,  and 
naked  shall  I  return  thither :  (the  LORD  gave,  and  the  LORD  hath 
taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  LORD.  ) 

22  In  all  this  Job  sinned  not,  nor  charged  God  foolishly. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  19 

CHAPTER  2. 

AGAIN  there  was  a  day  when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  present 
themselves  before  the  LORD,  and  Satan  came  also  among  them 
to  present  himself  before  the  LORD. 

2  And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  From  whence  comest  thou? 
And  Satan  answered  the  LORD,  and  said,  From  going  to  and  fro  in 
the  earth,  and  from  walking  up  and  down  in  it. 

3  And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  Hast  thou  considered  my 
servant  Job,  that  there  is  none  like  him  in  the  earth,  a  perfect  and 
an  upright  man,  one  that  feareth  God,  and  escheweth  evil?     and 
still   he   holdeth   fast   his   integrity,    although   thou   movedst    me 
against  him,  to  destroy  him  without  cause. 

4  And  Satan  answered  the  LORD,'  and  said,  Skin  for  skin,  yea, 
all  that  a  man  hath  will  he  give  for  his  life. 

5  But  put  forth  thine  hand  now,  and  touch  his  bone  and  his 
flesh,  and  he  will  curse  thee  to  thy  face. 

6  And  the  LORD  said  unto  Satan,  Behold,  he  is  in  thine  hand; 
but  save  his  life. 

7  fl  So  went  Satan  forth  from  the  presence  of  the  LORD,  and 
smote  Job  with  sore  boils  from  the  sole  of  his  foot  unto  his  crown. 

8  And  he  took  him  a  potsherd  to  scrape  himself  withal ;  and  he 
sat  down  among  the  ashes. 

9  ^  Then  said  his  wife  unto  him,  Dost  thou  still  retain  thine  in- 
tegrity? curse  God,  and  die. 

10  But  he  said  unto  her,  Thou  speakest  as  one  of  the  foolish 
women  speaketh.    What  ?  shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  God, 
and  shall  we  not  receive  evil?     In  all  this  did  not  Job  sin  with 
his  lips. 

11  ff  Now  when  Job's  three  friends  heard  of  all  this  evil  that 
was  come  upon  him,  they  came  every  one  from  his  own  place ; 
Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  and  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and  Zophar  the 
Naamathite :  for  they  had  made  an  appointment  together  to  come 
to  mourn  with  him  and  to  comfort  him. 

12  And  when  they  lifted  up  their  eyes  afar  off,  and  knew  him 


20  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

not,  they  lifted  up  their  voice,  and  wept ;  and  they  rent  every  one 
his  mantle,  and  sprinkled  dust  upon  their  heads  toward  heaven. 

13  So  they  sat  down  with  him  upon  the  ground  seven  days 
and  seven  nights,  and  none  spake  a  word  unto  him  for  they  saw 
that  his  grief  was  very  great. 


CHAPTER  3. 

A    FTEE  this  opened  Job  his  mouth,  and  cursed  his  day. 
**•   2     And  Job  spake,  and  said, 

3  Let  the  day  perish  wherein  I  was  born,  and  the  night  in 
which  it  was  said,  There  is  a  man  child  conceived. 

4  Let  that  day  be  darkness;  let  not  God  regard  it  from  above, 
neither  let  the  light  shine  upon  it. 

5  Let  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death  stain  it;  let  a  cloud 
dwell  upon  it ;  let  the  blackness  of  the  day  terrify  it. 

6  As  for  that  night,  let  darkness  seize  upon  it;  let  it  not  be 
joined  unto  the  days  of  the  year,  let  it  not  come  into  the  number 
of  the  months. 

7  Lo,  let  that  night  be  solitary,  let  no  joyful  voice  come  therein. 

8  Let  them  curse  it  that  curse  the  day,  who  are  ready  to  raise 
up  their  mourning. 

9  Let  the  stars  of  the  twilight  thereof  be  dark;  let  it  look  for 
light,  but  have  none ;  neither  let  it  see  the  dawning  of  the  day : 

10  Because  it  shut  not  up  the  doors  of  my  mother's  womb,  nor 
hid  sorrow  from  mine  eyes. 

11  Why  died  I  not  from  the  womb  ?  why  did  I  not  give  up  the 
ghost  when  I  came  out  of  the  belly? 

12  Why  did  the  knees  prevent  me?  or  why  the  breasts  that  I 
should  suck? 

13  For  now  should  I  have  lain  still  and  been  quiet,  I  should 
have  slept :  then  had  I  been  at  rest, 

14  With  kings  and  counsellors  of  the  earth,  which  built  deso- 
late places  for  themselves. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  21 

15  Or  with  princes  that  had  gold,  who  filled  their  houses  with 
silver : 

16  Or  as  an  hidden  untimely  birth  I  had  not  been;  as  infants 
ivhich  never  saw  light. 

17  There  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling ;  and  there  the  weary 
be  at  rest. 

18  There  the  prisoners  rest  together;  they  hear  not  the  voice 
of  the  oppressor. 

19  The  small  and  great  are  there ;  and  the  servant  is  free  from 
his  master. 

20  Wherefore  is  light  given  to  him  that  is  in  misery,  and  life 
unto  the  bitter  in  soul; 

21  Which  long  for  death,  but  it  cometh  not;  and  dig  for  it 
more  than  for  hid  treasures; 

22  Which  rejoice  exceedingly,  and  are  glad,  when  they  can 
find  the  grave? 

23  Why  is  light  given  to  a  man  whose  way  is  hid,  and  whom 
God  hath  hedged  in? 

24  For  my  sighing  cometh  before  I  eat,  and  my  roarings  are 
poured  out  like  the  waters. 

25  For  the  thing  which  I  greatly  feared  is  come  upon  me,  and 
that  which  I  was  afraid  of  is  come  unto  me. 

26  I  was  not  in  safety,  neither  had  I  rest,  neither  was  I  quiet ; 
yet  trouble  came. 

CHAPTER  4. 

THEN  Eliphaz  the  Temanite  answered  and  said, 
2     //  we  assay  to  commune  with  thee,  wilt  thou  be  grieved? 
but  who  can  withhold  himself  from  speaking. 

3  Behold,  thou  hast  instructed  many,  and  thou  hast  strength- 
ened the  weak  hands. 

4  Thy  words  have  upholden  him  that  was  falling,  and  thou 
hast  strengthened  the  feeble  knees. 

5  But  now  it  is  come  upon  thee,  and  thou  faintest ;  it  toucheth 
thee,  and  thou  art  troubled. 


22  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 


6  Is  not  this  thy  fear,  thy  confidence,  thy  hope,  and  the  up- 
rightness of  thy  ways? 

7  Remember,  I  pray  thee  who  ever  perished,  being  innocent? 
or  where  were  the  righteous  cut  off? 

8  Even  as  I  have  seen  they  that  plow  iniquity,  and  sow  wick- 
edness, reap  the  same. 

9  By  the  blast  of  God  they  perish,  and  by  the  breath  of  his 
nostrils  are  they  consumed. 

10  The  roaring  of  the  lion,  and  the  voice  of  the  fierce  lion, 
and  the  teeth  of  the  young  lions,  are  broken. 

11  The  old  lion  perisheth  for  lack  of  prey,  and  the  stout  lion's 
whelps  are  scattered  abroad. 

12  Now  a  thing  was  secretly  brought  to  me,  and  mine  ear  re- 
ceived a  little  thereof. 

13  In  thoughts  from  the  visions  of  the  night,  when  deep  sleep 
falleth  on  men, 

14  Fear  came  upon  me,  and  trembling,  which  made  all  my 
bones  to  shake. 

15  Then  a  spirit  passed  before  my  face;  the  hair  of  my  flesh 
stood  up : 

16  It  stood  still,  but  I  could  not  discern  the  form  thereof:  an 
image  was  before  mine  eyes,  there  was  silence  and  I  heard  a  voice, 
saying, 

17  Shall  mortal  man  be  more  just  than  God?  shall  a  man  be 
more  pure  than  his  maker? 

18  Behold,  he  put  no  trust  in  his  servants;  and  his  angels  he 
charged  with  folly: 

19  How  much  less  in  them  that  dwell  in  houses  of  clay,  whose 
foundation  is  in  the  dust,  which  are  crushed  before  the  moth? 

20  They  are  destroyed  from  morning  to  evening:  they  perish 
for  ever  without  any  regarding  it. 

21  Doth  not  their  excellency  which  is  in  them  go  away?  they 
die,  even  without  wisdom. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  23 

CHAPTER  5. 

CALL  now,  if  there  be  any  that  will  answer  thee;  and  to  which 
of  the  saints  wilt  thou  turn? 

2  For  wrath  killeth  the  foolish  man,   and  envy  slayeth  the 
silly  one. 

3  I  have  seen  the  foolish  taking  root:  but  suddenly  I  cursed 
his  habitation. 

4  His  children  are  far  from  safety,  and  they  are  crushed  in 
the  gate,  neither  is  there  any  to  deliver  them. 

5  Whose  harvest  the  hungry  eateth  up,  and  taketh  it  even  out 
of  the  thorns,  and  the  robber  swalloweth  up  their  substance. 

6  Although  affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust,  neither  doth 
trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground : 

7  Yet  man  is  born  unto  trouble,  as  the  sparks  fly  upward. 

8  I  would  seek  unto  God,  and  unto  God  would  I  commit  my 
cause : 

9  Which   doeth   great   things   and   unsearchable;    marvellous 
things  without  number: 

10  Who  giveth  rain  upon  the  earth,  and  sendeth  waters  upon 
the  fields: 

11  To  set  up  on  high  those  that  be  low ;  that  those  which  mourn 
may  be  exalted  to  safety. 

12  He  disappointeth  the  devices  of  the  crafty,  so  that  their 
hands  cannot  perform  their  enterprise. 

13  He  taketh  the  wise  in  their  own  craftiness :  and  the  counsel 
of  the  froward  is  carried  headlong. 

14  They  meet  with  darkness  in  the  daytime,  and  grope  in  the 
noonday  as  in  the  night. 

15  But  he  saveth  the  poor  from  the  sword,  from  their  mouth, 
and  from  the  hand  of  the  mighty. 

16  So  the  poor  hath  hope,  and  iniquity  stoppeth  her  mouth. 

17  Behold,  happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth:  therefore 
despise  not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Almighty: 

18  For  he  maketh  sore,  and  bindeth  up:  he  woundeth,  and  his 
hands  make  whole. 


24  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

19  He  shall  deliver  thee  in  six  troubles:  yea,  in  seven  there 
shall  no  evil  touch  thee. 

20  In  famine  he  shall  redeem  thee  from  death:  and  in  war 
from  the  power  of  the  sword. 

21  Thou  shalt  be  hid  from  the  scourge  of  the  tongue:  neither 
shalt  thou  be  afraid  of  destruction  when  it  cometh. 

22  At  destruction  and  famine  thou  shalt  laugh:  neither  shalt 
thou  be  afraid  of  the  beasts  of  the  earth. 

23  For  thou  shalt  be  in  league  with  the  stones  of  the  field: 
and  the  beasts  of  the  field  shall  be  at  peace  with  thee. 

24  And  thou  shalt  know  that  thy  tabernacle  shall  be  in  peace; 
and  thou  shalt  visit  thy  habitation,  and  shalt  not  sin. 

25  Thou  shalt  know  also  that  thy  seed  shall  be  great,  and 
thine  offspring  as  the  grass  of  the  earth. 

26  Thou  shalt  come  to  thy  grave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock 
of  corn  cometh  in  in  his  season. 

27  L/o  this,  we  have  searched  it,  so  it  is;  hear  it,  and  know 
thou  it  for  thy  good. 

CHAPTER  6. 

BUT  Job  answered  and  said, 
2     Oh  that  my  grief  were  thoroughly  weighed,  and  my  calam- 
ity laid  in  the  balances  together! 

3  For  now  it  would  be  heavier  than  the  sand  of  the  sea :  there- 
fore my  words  are  swallowed  up. 

4  For  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  are  within  me,  the  poison 
whereof  drinketh  up  my  spirit:  the  terrors  of  God  do  set  them- 
selves in  array  against  me. 

5  Doth  the  wild  ass  bray  when  he  hath  grass?  or  loweth  the 
ox  over  his  fodder? 

6  Can  that  which  is  unsavoury  be  eaten  without  salt?  or  is 
there  any  taste  in  the  white  of  an  egg? 

7  The  things  that  my  soul  refused  to  touch  are  as  my  sorrow- 
ful meat. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  25 

8  Oh  that  I  might  have  my  request ;  and  that  God  would  grant 
me  the  thing  that  I  long  for ! 

9  Even  that  it  would  please  God  to  destroy  me ;  that  he  would 
let  loose  his  hand,  and  cut  me  off ! 

10  Then  should  I  yet  have  comfort;  yea,  I  would  harden  my- 
self in  sorrow :  let  him  not  spare ;  for  I  have  not  concealed  the  words 
of  the  Holy  One. 

11  What  is  my  strength,  that  I  should  hope  ?  and  what  is  mine 
end,  that  I  should  prolong  my  life? 

12  Is  my  strength  the  strength  of  stones?  or  is  my  flesh  of 
brass  ? 

13  Is  not  my  help  in  me  ?  and  is  wisdom  driven  quite  from  me  ? 

14  To  him  that  is  afflicted  pity  should  be  shewed  from  his 
friend;  but  he  forsaketh  the  fear  of  the  Almighty. 

15  My  brethren  have  dealt  deceitfully  as  a  brook,  and  as  the 
stream  of  brooks  they  pass  away. 

16  Which  are  blackish  by  reason  of  the  ice,  and  wherein  the 
snow  is  hid: 

17  What  time  they  wax  warm,  they  vanish :  when  it  is  hot,  they 
are  consumed  out  of  their  place. 

18  The  paths  of  their  way  are  turned  aside;  they  go  to  noth- 
ing, and  perish. 

19  The  troops  of  Tema  looked,  the  companies  of  Sheba  waited 
for  them. 

20  They  were  confounded  because  they  had  hoped;  they  came 
thither,  and  were  ashamed. 

21  For  now  ye  are  nothing;  ye  see  my  casting  down,  and  are 
afraid. 

22  Did  I  say,  Bring  unto  me  ?  or,  Give  a  reward  for  me  of  your 
substance  ? 

23  Or,  Deliver  me  from  the  enemy's  hand?  or,  Redeem  me 
from  the  hand  of  the  mighty  ? 

24  Teach  me,  and  I  will  hold  my  tongue :  and  cause  me  to  un- 
derstand wherein  I  have  erred. 


26  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

25  How  forcible  are  right  words!  but  what  doth  your  arguing 
reprove  ? 

26  Do  ye  imagine  to  reprove  words,  and  the  speeches  of  one 
that  is  desperate,  which  are  as  wind? 

27  Yea,  ye  overwhelm  the  fatherless,  and  ye  dig  a  pit.  for  your 
friend. 

28  Now  therefore  be  content,  look  upon  me;  for  it  is  evident 
unto  you  if  I  lie. 

29  Return,  I  pray  you,  let  it  not  be  inquiry ;  yea,  return  again, 
my  righteousness  is  in  it : 

30  Is  there  iniquity  in  my  tongue?  cannot  my  taste  discern 
perverse  things? 

CHAPTER  7. 

IS  there  not  an  appointed  time  to  man  upon  earth?  are  not  his 
days  also  like  the  days  of  an  hireling. 

2  As  a  servant  earnestly  desireth  the  shadow,  and  as  an  hire- 
ling looketh  for  the  reward  of  his  work : 

3  So  am  I  made  to  possess  months  of  vanity,  and  wearisome 
nights  are  appointed  to  me. 

4  When  I  lie  down,  I  say,  When  shall  I  arise,  and  the  night 
be  gone?  and  I  am  full  of  tossings  to  and  fro  unto  the  dawning  of 
the  day. 

5  My  flesh  is  clothed  with  worms  and  clods  of  dust;  my  skin 
is  broken,  and  become  loathsome. 

6  My  days  are  swifter  than  a  weaver's  shuttle,  and  are  spent 
without  hope. 

7  0  remember  that  my  life  is  wind:  mine  eye  shall  no  more 
see  good. 

8  The  eye  of  him  that  hath  seen  me  shall  see  me  no  more; 
thine  eyes  are  upon  me,  and  I  am  not. 

9  As  the  cloud  is  consumed  and  vanisheth  away:  so  he  that 
goeth  down  to  the  grave  shall  come  up  no  more. 

10  He  shall  return  no  more  to  his  house,  neither  shall  his  place 
know  him  any  more. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  27 

11  Therefore  I  will  not  refrain  my  mouth;  I  will  speak  in  the 
anguish  of  my  spirit ;  I  will  complain  in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul. 

12  Am  I  a  sea,  or  a  whale,  that  thou  settest  a  watch  over  me  ? 

13  When  I  say,  My  bed  shall  comfort  me,  my  couch  shall  ease 
my  complaint ; 

14  Then  thou  scarest  me  with  dreams,  and  terrifiest  me  through 
visions : 

15  So  that  my  soul  chooseth  strangling,  and  death  rather  than 
my  life. 

16  I  loathe  it;  I  would  not  live  alway:  let  me  alone;  for  my 
days  are  vanity. 

17  What  is  man,  that  thou  shouldest  magnify  him?  and  that 
thou  shouldest  set  thine  heart  upon  him  ? 

18  And  that  thou  shouldest  visit  him  every  morning,  and  try 
him  every  moment  ? 

19  How  long  wilt  thou  not  depart  from  me,  nor  let  me  alone 
till  I  swallow  down  my  spittle  ? 

20  I  have  sinned;  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee,  0  thou  preserver 
of  men  ?  why  hast  thou  set  me  as  a  mark  against  thee,  so  that  I 
am  a  burden  to  myself? 

21  And  why  dost  thou  not  pardon  my  transgression,  and  take 
away  mine  iniquity?  for  now  shall  I  sleep  in  the  dust;  and  thou 
shalt  seek  me  in  the  morning,  but  I  shall  not  be. 

CHAPTER  8. 

THEN  answered  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and  said, 
2     How  long  wilt  thou  speak  these  things?  and  how  long  shall 
the  words  of  thy  mouth  be  like  a  strong  wind? 

3  Doth  God  pervert  judgment?  or  doth  the  Almighty  pervert 
justice  ? 

4  If  thy  children  have  sinned  against  him,  and  he  have  cast 
them  away  for  their  transgression ; 

5  If  thou  wouldest  seek  unto  God  betimes,  and  make  thy  sup- 
plication to  the  Almighty; 


28  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

6  If  thou  wert  pure  and  upright ;  surely  now  he  would  awake 
for  thee,  and  make  the  habitation  of  thy  righteousness  prosperous. 

7  Though  thy  beginning  was  small,  yet  thy  latter  end  should 
greatly  increase. 

8  For  enquire,  I  pray  thee,  of  the  former  age,  and  prepare  thy- 
self to  the  search  of  their  fathers: 

9  (For  we  are  but  of  yesterday,  and  know  nothing,  because 
our  days  upon  earth  are  a  shadow : ) 

10  Shall  not  they  teach  thee,  and  tell  thee,  and  utter  words  out 
of  their  heart? 

11  Can  the  rush  grow  up  without  mire?  can  the  flag  grow 
without  water? 

12  Whilst  it  is  yet  in  his  greenness,  and  not  cut  down,  it 
withereth  before  any  other  herb. 

13  So  are  the  paths  of  all  that  forget  God;  and  the  hypocrite's 
hope  shall  perish : 

14  Whose  hope  shall  be  cut  off,  and  whose  trust  shall  be  a, 
spider's  web. 

15  He  shall  lean  upon  his  house,  but  it  shall  not  stand:  he 
shall  hold  it  fast,  but  it  shall  not  endure. 

16  He  is  green  before  the  sun,  and  his  branch  shooteth  forth 
in  his  garden. 

17  His  roots  are  wrapped  about  the  heap,  and  seeth  the  place 
of  stones. 

18  If  he  destroy  him  from  his  place,  then  it  shall  deny  him, 
saying,  I  have  not  seen  thee. 

19  Behold,  this  is  the  joy  of  his  way,  and  out  of  the  earth  shall 
others  grow. 

20  Behold,  God  will  not  cast  away  a  perfect  man,  neither  will 
he  help  the  evil  doers: 

21  Till  he  fill  thy  mouth  with  laughing,  and  thy  lips  with  re- 
joicing. 

22  They  that  hate  thee  shall  be  clothed  with  shame;  and  the 
dwelling  place  of  the  wicked  shall  come  to  nought. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  29 

CHAPTER  9. 

'HEN  Job  answered  and  said, 

[  know  it  is  so  of  a  truth:  but  how  should  man  be  just  with 
God? 

3  If  he  will  contend  with  him,  he  cannot  answer  him  one  of 
a  thousand. 

4  He  is  wise  in  heart,  and  mighty  in  strength :  who  hath  hard- 
ened himself  against  him,  and  hath  prospered? 

5  Which  removeth  the  mountains,  and  they  know  not:  which 
overturneth  them  in  his  anger. 

6  Which  shaketh  the  earth  out  of  her  place,  and  the  pillars 
thereof  tremble. 

7  Which  commandeth  the  sun,  and  it  riseth  not;  and  sealeth 
up  the  stars. 

8  Which  alone  spreadeth  out  the  heavens,  and  treadeth  upon 
the  waves  of  the  sea. 

9  Which  maketh  Arcturus,  Orion,  and  Pleiades,  and  the  cham- 
bers of  the  south. 

10  Which  dbeth  great  things  past  finding  out;  yea,  and  won- 
ders without  number. 

11  Lo,  he  goeth  by  me,  and  I  see  him  not :  he  passeth  on  also, 
but  I  perceive  him  not. 

12  Behold,  he  taketh  away,  who  can  hinder  him?  who  will 
say  unto  him,  What  doest  thou  ? 

13  //  God  will  not  withdraw  his  anger,  the  proud  helpers  do 
stoop  under  him. 

14  How  much  less  shall  I  answer  him,  and  choose  out  my 
words  to  reason  with  him  ? 

15  Whom,  though  I  were  righteous,  yet  would  I  not  answer, 
but  I  would  make  supplication  to  my  judge. 

16  If  I  had  called,  and  he  had  answered  me;  yet  would  I  not 
believe  that  he  had  hearkened  unto  my  voice. 

17  For  he  breaketh  me  with  a  tempest,  and  multiplieth  my 
founds  without  cause. 

I       (rS&U/kS)   >  AlLf*^2^lr£l~^&.~ 


30  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

18  He  will  not  suffer  me  to  take  my  breath,  but  filleth  me  with 
bitterness. 

19  If  7  speak  of  strength,  lo,  lie  is  strong :  and  if  of  judgment, 
who  shall  set  me  a  time  to  plead? 

20  If  I  justify  myself,  mine  own  mouth  shall  condemn  me: 
if  I  say,  I  am  perfect,  it  shall  also  prove  me  perverse. 

21  Though  I  were  perfect,  yet  would  I  not  know  my  soul:  I 
would  despise  my  life. 

22  This  is  one  thing,  therefore  I  said  it,  He  destroyeth  the  per- 
fect and  the  wicked. 

23  If  the  scourge  slay  suddenly,  he  will  laugh  at  the  trial  of 

Vthe  innocent. 
. 

24  The  earth  is  given  into  the  hand  of  the  wicked :  he  covereth 

the  faces  of  the  judges  thereof;  if  not,  where,  and  who  is  he? 

25  Now  my  days  are  swifter  than  a  post :  they  flee  away,  they 
see  no  good. 

26  They  are  passed  away  as  the  swift  ships :  as  the  eagle  that 
hasteth  to  the  prey. 

27  If  I  say,  I  will  forget  my  complaint,  I  will  leave  off  my 
heaviness,  and  comfort  myself: 

28  I  am  afraid  of  all  my  sorrows,  I  know  that  thou  wilt  not 
hold  me  innocent. 

29  //  I  be  wicked,  why  then  labour  I  in  vain? 

30  If  I  wash  myself  with  snow  water,  and  make  my  hands 
never  so  clean; 

31  Yet   shalt   thou   plunge   me  in  the   ditch,   and   mine   own 
clothes,  shall  abhor  me. 

32  For  he  is  not  a  man,  as  I  am,  that  I  should  answer  him,  and 
we  should  come  together  in  judgment. 

33  Neither  is  there  any  days  man  betwixt  us,  that  might  lay 
his  hand  upon  us  both. 

34  Let  him  take  his  rod  away  from  me,  and  let  not  his  fear 
terrify  me : 

35  Then  would  I  speak,  and  not  fear  him;  but  it  is  not  so 
with  me. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  31 

CHAPTER  10. 

MY  soul  is  weary  of  my  life;  I  will  leave  my  complaint  upon 
myself;  I  will  speak  in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul. 

2  I  will  say  unto  God,  Do  not  condemn  me ;  shew  me  wherefore 
thou  contendest  with  me. 

3  Is  it  good  unto  thee  that  thou  shouldest  oppress,  that  thou 
shouldest  despise  the  work  of  thine  hands,  and  shine  upon  the 
counsel  of  the  wicked  ? 

4  Hast  thou  eyes  of  flesh?  or  seest  thou  as  man  seeth? 

5  Are  thy  days  as  the  days  of  man?  are  thy  years  as  man's 

That  thou  enquirest  after  mine  iniquity,  and  searchest  after 
? 

7  Thou  knowest  that  I  am  not  wicked;  and  there  is  none  that 
deliver  out  of  thine  hand. 

8  Thine  hands  have  made  me  and  fashioned  me  together  round 
about;  yet  thou  dost  destroy  me. 

9  Remember,  I  beseech  thee,  that  thou  hast  made  me  as  the 
clay;  and  wilt  thou  bring  me  into  dust  again? 

10  Hast  thou  not  poured  me  out  as  milk,  and  curdled  me  like 
cheese  ? 

11  Thou  hast  clothed  me  with  skin  and  flesh,  and  hast  fenced 
me  with  bones  and  sinews. 

12  Thou  hast  granted  me  life  and  favour,  and  thy  visitation 
hast  preserved  my  spirit. 

13  And  these  things  has  thou  hid  in  thine  heart :  I  know  that 
this  is  with  thee. 

14  If  I  sin,  then  thou  markest  me,  and  thou  wilt  not  acquit  me 
from  mine  iniquity. 

15  If  I  be  wicked,  woe  unto  me;  and  if  I  be  righteous,  yet  will 
I  not  lift  up  my  head.    I  am  full  of  confusion ;  therefore  see  thou 
mine  affliction; 

16  For  it  increaseth.     Thou  huntest  me  as  a  fierce  lion:  and 
again  thou  shewest  thyself  marvellous  upon  me. 


32  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

17  Thou  renewest  thy  witnesses  against  me,   and  increases! 
thine  indignation  upon  me ;  changes  and  war  are  against  me. 

18  Wherefore  then  hast  thou  brought  me  forth  out  of  the 
womb  ?    Oh  that  I  had  given  up  the  ghost,  and  no  eye  had  seen  me ! 

19  I  should  have  been  as  though  I  had  not  been !  I  should  have 
been  carried  from  the  womb  to  the  grave. 

20  Are  not  my  days  few?  cease  then,  and  let  me  alone,  that  I 
may  take  comfort  a  little, 

21  Before  I  go  whence  I  shall  not  return,  even  to  the  land  of 
darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death ; 

22  A  land  of  darkness,  as  darkness  itself ;  and  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  without  any  order,  and  where  the  light  is  as  darkness. 

CHAPTER  11. 

THEN  answered  Zophar  the  Naamathite,  and  said, 
2     Should  not  the  multitude  of  words  be   answered?   and 
should  a  man  full  of  talk  be  justified? 

3  Should  thy  lies  make  men  hold  their  peace?  and  when  thou 
mockest,  shall  no  man  make  thee  ashamed  ? 

4  For  thou  hast  said,  My  doctrine  is  pure,  and  I  am  clean  in 
thine  eyes. 

5  But  oh  that  God  would  speak,  and  open  his  lips  against  thee ; 

6  And  that  he  would  shew  thee  the  secrets  of  wisdom,  that 
they  are  double  to  that  which  is!     Know  therefore  that  God  ex- 
acteth  of  thee  less  than  thine  iniquity  deserveth. 

I  Canst  thou  by  searching  find  out  God?  canst  thou  find  out 
the  Almighty  unto  perfection? 

8  It  is  as  high  as  heaven;  what  canst  thou  do?  deeper  than 
hell;  what  canst  thou  know? 

9  The  measure  thereof  is  longer  than  the  earth,  and  broader 
than  the  sea. 

10  If  he  cut  off,  and  shut  up,  or  gather  together,  then  who 
can  hinder  him? 

II  For  he  knoweth  vain  men:  he  seeth  wickedness  also;  will 
he  not  then  consider  itf 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  33 

12  For  vain  man  would  be  wise,  though  man  be  born  like  a 
wild  ass's  colt. 

13  If  thou  prepare  thine  heart,  and  stretch  out  thine  hands 
toward  him ; 

14  If  iniquity  be  in  thine  hand,  put  it  far  away,  and  let  not 
wickedness  dwell  in  thy  tabernacles. 

15  For  then  shalt  thou  lift  up  thy  face  without  spot;  yea, 
thou  shalt  be  steadfast,  and  shalt  not  fear: 

16  Because   thou  shalt  forget   thy  misery,   and  remember  it 
as  waters  that  pass  away : 

17  And  thine  age  shall  be  clearer  than  the  noonday ;  thou  shalt 
shine  forth,  thou  shalt  be  as  the  morning. 

18  And  thou  shalt  be  secure,  because  there  is  hope;  yea,  thou 
shalt  dig  about  thee,  and  thou  shalt  take  thy  rest  in  safety. 

19  Also  thou  shalt  lie  down,  and  none  shall  make  thee  afraid; 
yea,  many  shall  make  suit  unto  thee. 

20  But  the  eyes  of  the  wicked  shall  fail,  and  they  shall  not 
escape,  and  their  hope  shall  be  as  the  giving  up  of  the  ghost. 

CHAPTER  12. 

A   ND  Job  answered  and  said, 

*»•  2     No  doubt  but  ye  are  the  people,  and  wisdom  shall  die 
with  you. 

3  But  I  have  understanding  as  well  as  you;  I  am  not  inferior 
to  you :  yea,  who  knoweth  not  such  things  as  these  ? 

4  I  am  as  one  mocked  of  his  neighbor,  who  calleth  upon  God 
and  he  answereth  him :  the  just  upright  man  is  laughed  to  scorn. 

5  He  that  is  ready  to  slip  with  his  feet  is  as  a  lamp  despised 
in  the  thought  of  him  that  is  at  ease. 

6  The  tabernacles  of  robbers  prosper,  and  they  that  provoke 
U  God  are  secure ;  into  whose  hand  God  bringeth  abundantly. 

7  But  ask  now  the  beasts,  and  they  shall  teach  thee;  and  the 
fowls  of  the  air,  and  they  shall  tell  thee: 

8  Or  speak  to  the  earth,  and  it  shall  teach  thee :  and  the  fishes 
of  the  sea  shall  declare  unto  thee. 


34  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

9  Who  knoweth  not  in  all  these  that  the  hand  of  the  LORD  hath 
wrought  this? 

10  In  whose  hand  is  the  soul  of  every  living  thing,  and  the 
breath  of  all  mankind. 

11  Doth  not  the  ear  try  words?  and  the  mouth  taste  his  meat? 

12  With  the  ancient  is  wisdom;  and  in  length  of  days  under- 
standing. 

13  With  him  is  wisdom  and  strength,  he  hath  counsel  and 
understanding. 

14  Behold,  he  breaketh  down,  and  it  cannot  be  built  again :  he 
shutteth  up  a  man,  and  there  can  be  no  opening. 

15  Behold,  he  withholdeth  the  waters,  and  they  dry  up:  also 
he  sendeth  them  out,    and  they  overturn  the  earth. 

16  With  him  is  strength  and  wisdom :  the  deceived  and  the  de- 
ceiver are  his. 

17  He  leadeth  counsellors  away  spoiled,  and  maketh  the  judges 
fools. 

18  He  looseth  the  bond  of  kings,  and  girdeth  their  loins  with 
a  girdle. 

19  He  leadeth  princes  away  spoiled,   and  overthroweth   the 
mighty. 

20  He  removeth  away  the  speech  of  the  trusty,  and  taketh 
away  the  understanding  of  the  aged. 

21  He   poureth   contempt  upon  princes,   and  weakeneth   the 
strength  of  the  mighty. 

22  He  discovereth  deep  things  out  of  darkness,  and  bringeth 
out  to  light  the  shadow  of  death. 

23  He  increaseth  the  nations,   and  destroyeth  them:   he   en- 
largeth  the  nations,  and  straiteneth  them  again. 

24  He  taketh  away  the  heart  of  the  chief  of  the  people  of  the 
earth,  and  causeth  them  to  wander  in  a  wilderness  where  there  is 
no  way. 

25  They  grope  in  the  dark  without  light,  and  he  maketh  them 
to  stagger  like  a  drunken  man. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  35 

CHAPTER  13. 

LO,  mine  eye  hath  seen  all  this,  mine  ear  hath  heard  and  un- 
derstood it. 

2  What  ye  know,  the  same  do  I  know  also:  I  am  not  inferior 
unto  you. 

3  Surely  jf  would  speak  to  the  Almighty,  and  I  desire  to  rea- 
son with  God( 

4  But  ye  are  forgers  of  lies,  ye  are  all  physicians  of  no  value. 

5  0  that  ye  would  altogether  hold  your  peace !  and  it  should 
be  your  wisdom. 

6  Hear  now  my  reasoning,  and  hearken  to  the  pleadings  of 
my  lips. 

7  Will  ye  speak  wickedly  for  God?  and  talk  deceitfully  for 
him? 

8  Will  ye  accept  his  person  ?  will  ye  contend  for  God  ? 

9  Is  it  good  that  he  should  search  you  out?  or  as  one  man 
mocketh  another,  do  ye  so  mock  him? 

10  He  will  surely  reprove  you,  if  ye  do  secretly  accept  persons. 

11  Shall  not  his  excellency  make  you  afraid?  and  his  dread 
fall  upon  you  ? 

12  Your  remembrances  are  like   unto   ashes,  your  bodies  to 
to  bodies  of  clay. 

13  Hold  your  peace,  let  me  alone,  that  I  may  speak,  and  let 
come  on  me  what  will. 

14  Wherefore  do  I  take  my  nesh  in  my  teeth,  and  put  my  life 
in  mine  hand? 

15  Though  he  slay  me, 
tain  mine  own  ways  before 

16  He  also  shall  be  my  salvation :  for  an  hypocrite  shall  not 
come  before  him. 

17  Hear  diligently  my  speech,  and  my  declaration  with  your 
ears. 

18  Behold  now,  I  have  ordered  my  cause;  I  know  that  I  shall 
be  justified. 


5,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him :  but  Jjvill  main- 
e  himT 


>•?.,< 


36  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

19  Who  is  he  that  will  plead  with  me?  for  now,  if  I  hold  my 
tongue,  I  shall  give  up  the  ghost. 

20  Only  do  not  two  things  unto  me :  then  will  I  not  hide  my- 
self from  thee. 

21  Withdraw  thine  hand  far  from  me:  and  let  not  thy  dread 
make  me  afraid. 

22  Then  call  thou,  and  I  will  answer:  or  let  me  speak,  and 
answer  thou  me. 

23  How  many  are  mine  iniquities  and  sins0?  make  me  to  know 
my  transgression  and  my  sin. 

24  Wherefore  hidest  thou  thy  face,  and  boldest  me  for  thine 
enemy  ? 

25  Wilt  thou  break  a  leaf  driven  to  and  fro?  and  wilt  thou 
pursue  the  dry  stubble? 

26  For  thou  writest  bitter  things  against  me,  and  makest  me 
to  possess  the  iniquities  of  my  youth. 

27  Thou  puttest  my  feet  also  in  the  stocks,  and  lookest  nar- 
rowly unto  all  my  paths ;  thou  settest  a  print  upon  the  heels  of  my 
feet. 

28  And  he,  as  a  rotten  thing,  consumeth,  as  a  garment  that  is 
moth  eaten. 

CHAPTER  14. 

MAN  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days,  and  full  of  trouble. 
2     He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down :  he  fleeth 
also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not. 

3  And  dost  thou  open  thine  eyes  upon  such  an  one,  and  bring- 
est  me  into  judgment  with  thee  ? 

4  Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean?  not  one. 

5  Seeing  his  days,  are  determined,  the  number  of  his  months 
are  with  thee,  thou  hast  appointed  his  bounds  that  he  cannot  pass ; 

6  Turn  from  him,  that  he  may  rest,  till  he  shall  accomplish, 
as  an  hireling,  his  day. 

7  For  there  is  hope  of  a  tree,  if  it  be  cut  down,  that  it  will 
sprout  again,  and  that  the  tender  branch  thereof  will  not  cease. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  37 

8  Though  the  root  thereof  wax  old  in  the  earth,  and  the  stock 
thereof  die  in  the  ground; 

9  Yet  through  the  scent  of  water  it  will  bud,  and  bring  forth 
boughs  like  a  plant. 

10  But  man  dieth,  and  wasteth  away :  yea,  man  giveth  up  the 
ghost,  and  where  is  he? 

11  As  the  waters  fail  from  the  sea,  and  the  flood  decay eth  and 
drieth  up: 

12  So  man  lieth  down,  and  riseth  not:  till  the  heavens  be  no 
more,  they  shall  not  awake,  nor  be  raised  out  of  their  sleep. 

13  0  that  thou  wouldest  hide  me  in  the  grave,   that  thou 
wouldest  keep  me  secret,  until  thy  wrath  be  past,  that  thou  wouldest 
appoint  me  a  set  time,  and  remember  me ! 

14  If  a  man  die,  shall  he  live  again?  all  the  days  of  my  ap- 
pointed time  will  I  wait,  till  my  change  come. 

15  Thou  shalt  call,  and  I  will  answer  thee:  thou  wilt  have  a 
desire  to  the  work  of  thine  hands. 

16  For  now  thou  numberest  my  steps:  dost  thou  not  watch 
over  my  sin? 

17  My  transgression  is  sealed  up  in  a  bag,  and  thou  sewest  up 
mine  iniquity. 

18  And  surely  the  mountain  falling  cometh  to  nought  and  the 
rock  is  removed  out  of  his  place. 

19  The  waters  wear  the  stones:  thou  washest  away  the  things 
which  grow  out  of  the  dust  of  the  earth;  and  thou  destroyest  the 
hope  of  man. 

20  Thou  prevailest  for  ever  against  him,  and  he  passeth :  thou 
changest  his  countenance,  and  sendest  him  away. 

21  His  sons  come  to  honour,  and  he  knoweth  it  not;  and  they 
are  brought  low,  but  he  perceiveth  it  not  of  them. 

22  But  his  flesh  upon  him  shall  have  pain,  and  his  soul  within 
him  shall  mourn. 


38  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

CHAPTER  15. 

THEN  answered  Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  and  said, 
2     Should  a  wise  man  utter  vain  knowledge,  and  fill  his  belly 
with  the  east  wind? 

3  Should  he  reason  with  unprofitable  talk?  or  with  speeches 
wherewith  he  can  do  no  good? 

4  Yea,  thou  castest  off  fear,  and  restrainest  prayer  before  God, 

5  For  thy  mouth  uttereth  thine  iniquity,  and  thou  choosest  the 
tongue  of  the  crafty. 

6  Thine  own  mouth  condemneth  thee,  and  not  I:  yea,  thine 
own  lips  testify  against  thee. 

7  Art  thou  the  first  man  that  was  born?  or  wast  thou  made 
before  the  hills? 

8  Hast  thou  heard  the  secret  of  God?  and  dost  thou  restrain 
wisdom  to  thyself? 

9  What  knowest  thou,  that  we  know  not?  what  understandest 
thou,  which  is  not  in  us? 

10  With  us  are  both  the  grayheaded  and  very  aged  men,  much 
elder  than  thy  father. 

11  Are  the  consolations  of  God  small  with  thee?  is  there  any 
secret  thing  with  thee? 

12  Why  doth  thine  heart  carry  thee  away?  and  what  do  thy 
eyes  wink  at, 

13  That  thou  turnest  thy  spirit  against  God,  and  lettest  such 
words  go  out  of  thy  mouth? 

14  What  is  man,  that  he  should  be  clean  ?  and  he  which  is  born 
of  a  woman,  that  he  should  be  righteous? 

15  Behold,  he  putteth  no  trust  in  his  saints;  yea,  the  heavens 
are  not  clean  in  his  sight. 

16  How  much  more  abominable  and  filthy  is  man,  which  drink- 
eth  iniquity  like  water? 

17  I  will  shew  thee,  hear  me ;  and  that  which  I  have  seen  I  will 
declare ; 

18  Which  wise  men  have  told  from  their  fathers,  and  have 
not  hid  it: 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  39 

19  Unto  whom  alone  the  earth  was  given,  and  no  stranger 
passed  among  them. 

20  The  wicked  man  travaileth  with  pain  all  his  days,  and  the 
number  of  years  is  hidden  to  the  oppressor. 

21  A  dreadful  sound  is  in  his  ears :  in  prosperity  the  destroyer 
shall  come  upon  him. 

22  He  believeth  not  that  he  shall  return  out  of  darkness,  and 
he  is  waited  for  the  sword. 

23  He  wandereth  abroad  for  bread,  saying,  Where  is  itf  he 
knoweth  that  the  day  of  darkness  is  ready  at  his  hand. 

24  Trouble  and  anguish  shall  make  him  afraid ;  they  shall  pre- 
vail against  him,  as  a  king  ready  to  the  battle. 

25  For  he  stretcheth  out  his  ha*nd  against  God,  and  strength- 
eneth  himself  against  the  Almighty. 

26  He  runneth  upon  him,  even  on  his  neck,  upon  the  thick 
bosses  of  his  bucklers : 

27  Because  he  covereth  his  face  with  his  fatness,  and  maketh 
collops  of  fat  on  his  flanks. 

28  And  he  dwelleth  in  desolate  cities,  and  in  houses  which  no 
man  inhabiteth,  which  are  ready  to  become  heaps. 

29  He  shall  not  be  rich,  neither  shall  his  substance  continue, 
neither  shall  he  prolong  the  perfection  thereof  upon  the  earth. 

30  He  shall  not  depart  out  of  darkness;  the  flame  shall  dry 
up  his  branches,  and  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth  shall  he  go  away. 

31  Let  not  him  that  is  deceived  trust  in  vanity :  for  vanity  shall 
he  his  recompense. 

32  It  shall  be  accomplished  before  his  time,  and  his  branch 
shall  not  be  green. 

33  He  shall  shake  off  his  unripe  grape  as  the  vine,  and  shall 
cast  off  his  flower  as  the  olive. 

34  For  the  congregation  of  hypocrites  shall  ~be  desolate,  and 
fire  shall  consume  the  tabernacles  of  bribery. 

35  They  conceive  mischief,  and  bring  forth  vanity,  and  their 
belly  prepareth  deceit. 


40  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

CHAPTER  16. 

THEN  Job  answered  and  said, 
2     I  have  heard  many  such  things:  miserable  comforters  are 
ye  all. 

3  Shall  vain  words  have  an  end?  or  what  emboldeneth  thee 
that  thou  answerest? 

4  I  also  could  speak  as  ye  do :  if  your  soul  were  in  my  soul 's 
stead,  I  could  heap  up  words  against  you,  and  shake  mine  head 
at  you. 

5  But  I  would  strengthen  you  with  my  mouth,  and  the  moving 
of  my  lips  should  asswage  your  grief. 

6  Though  I  speak,  my  grief  is  not  asswaged :  and  though  I  for- 
bear, what  am  I  eased  ? 

7  But  now  he  hath  made  me  weary:  thou  hast  made  desolate 
all  my  company. 

8  And  thou  hast  filled  me  with  wrinkles,  ivhich  is  a  witness 
against  me:  and  my  leanness  rising  up  in  me  beareth  witness  to 
my  face. 

9  He  teareth  me  in  his  wrath,  who  hateth  me :  he  gnasheth 
upon  me  with  his  teeth ;  mine  enemy  sharpeneth  his  eyes  upon  me. 

10  They  have  gaped  upon  me  with  their  mouth;  they  have 
smitten  me  upon  the  cheek  reproachfully ;  they  have  gathered  them- 
selves together  against  me. 

11  God  hath  delivered  me  to  the  ungodly,  and  turned  me  over 
into  the  hands  of  the  wTicked. 

12  I  was  at  ease,  but  he  hath  broken  me  asunder :  he  hath  also 
taken  me  by  my  neck,  and  shaken  me  to  pieces,  and  set  me  up  for 
his  mark. 

13  His  archers  compass  me  round  about,  he  cleaveth  my  reins 
asunder,  and  doth  not  spare;  he  poureth  out  my  gall  upon  the 
ground. 

14  He  breaketh  me  with  breach  upon  breach,  he  runneth  upon 
me  like  a  giant. 

15  I  have  sewed  sackcloth  upon  my  skin,  and  defiled  my  horn 
in  the  dust. 

U      /U-XK 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  41 

16  My  face  is  foul  with  weeping,  and  on  my  eyelids  is  the 
shadow  of  death; 

17  Not  for  any  injustice  in  mine  hands:  also  my  prayer  is 
pure. 

18  0  earth,  cover  not  thou  my  blood,  and  let  my  cry  have  no 
place. 

19  Also  now,  behold,  my  witness  is  in  heaven,  and  my  record  is 
on  high. 

20  My  friends  scorn  me :  but  mine  eye  poureth  out  tears  unto 
God. 

21  0  that  one  might  plead  for  a  man  with  God,  as  a  man 
pleadeth  for  his  neighbour ! 

22  When  a  few  years  are  come,  then  I  shall  go  the  way  whence 
I  shall  not  return. 

CHAPTER  17. 

MY  breath  is  corrupt,  my  days  are  extinct,  the  graves  are  ready 
for  me. 

2  Are  there  not  mockers  with  me?  and  doth  not  mine  eye  con- 
tinue in  their  provocation? 

3  Lay  down  now,  put  me  in  a  surety  with  thee ;  who  is  he  that 
will  strike  hands  with  me? 

4  For  thou  hast  hid  their  heart  from  understanding:  there- 
fore shalt  thou  not  exalt  them. 

5  He  that  speaketh  flattery  to  his  friends,  even  the  eyes  of  his 
children  shall  fail. 

6  He  hath  made  me  also  a  byword  of  the  people ;  and  aforetime 
T  was  as  a  tabret. 

7  Mine  eye  also  is  dim  by  reason  of  sorrow,  and  all  my  mem- 
bers are  as  a  shadow. 

8  Upright  men  shall  be  astonied  at  this,  and  the  innocent  shall 
stir  up  himself  against  the  hypocrite. 

9  The  righteous  also  shall  hold  on  his  way,  and  he  that  hath 
clean  hands  shall  be  stronger  and  stronger. 


42  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

10  But  as  for  you  all  do  ye  return  and  come  now :  for  I  cannot 
find  one  wise  man  among  you. 

11  My  days  are  past,  my  purposes   are  broken   off,  even    the 
thoughts  of  my  heart. 

12  They  change  the  night  into  day:  the  light  is  short  because 
of  darkness. 

13  If  I  wait,  the  grave  is  mine  house :  I  have  made  my  bed  in 
the  darkness. 

14  I  have  said  to  corruption,  Thou  art  my  father :  to  the  worm, 
Thou  art  my  mother,  and  my  sister. 

15  And  where  is  now  my  hope  ?  as  for  my  hope,  who  shall  see  it. 

16  They  shall  go  down  to  the  bars  of  the  pit,  when  our  rest 
together  is  in  the  dust. 

CHAPTER  18. 

THEN  answered  Bildad  the  Shuhite  and  said, 
2     How  long    will  it  be  ere  ye  make  an  end  of  words?  mark, 
and  afterwards  we  will  speak. 

3  Wherefore  are  we  counted  as  beasts,  and  reputed  vile  in 
your  sight  ? 

4  He  teareth  himself  in  his  anger:  shall  the  earth  be  forsaken 
for  thee?  and  shall  the  rock  be  removed  out  of  his  place? 

5  Yea,  the  light  of  the  wicked  shall  be  put  out,  and  the  spark 
of  his  fire  shall  not  shine. 

6  The  light     shall  be  dark  in  his  tabernacle,  and  his  candle 
shall  be  put  out  with  him. 

7  The  steps  of  his  strength  shall  be  straitened,  and  his  own 
counsel  shall  cast  him  down. 

8  For  he  is  cast  into  a  net  by  his  own  feet,  and  he  walketh 
upon  a  snare. 

9  The  gin  shall  take  him  by  the  heel,  and  the  robber  shall 
prevail  against  him. 

10  The  snare  is  laid  for  him  in  the  ground,  and  a  trap  for  him 
in  the  way. 

Lu   K&o  V  yi^t 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  43 

11  Terrors  shall  make  him  afraid  on  every  side,  and  shall  drive 
him  to  his  feet. 

12  His  strength  shall  be  hungerbitten,  and  destruction  shall  be 
ready  at  his  side. 

13  It  shall  devour  the  strength  of  his  skin:  even  the  firstborn 
of  death  shall  devour  his  strength. 

14  His  confidence  shall  be  rooted  out  of  his  tabernacle,  and 
it  shall  bring  him  to  the  king  of  terrors. 

15  It  shall  dwell  in  his  tabernacle,  because  it  is  none  of  his: 
brimstone  shall  be  scattered  upon  his  habitation. 

16  His  roots  shall  be  dried  up  beneath,  and  above  shall  his 
branch  be  cut  off. 

17  His  remembrance  shall  perish  from  the  earth,  and  he  shall 
have  no  name  in  the  street. 

18  He  shall  be  driven  from  light  into  darkness,  and  chased 
out  of  the  world. 

19  He  shall  neither  have  son  nor  nephew  among  his  people, 
nor  any  remaining  in  his  dwellings. 

20  They  that  come  after  him  shall  be  astonied  at  his  day,  as 
they  that  went  before  were  affrighted. 

21  Surely  such  are  the  dwellings  of  the  wicked,  and  this  is 
the  place  of  him  that  knoweth  not  God. 

CHAPTER  19. 

THEN  Job  answered  and  said, 
2     How  long  will  ye  vex  my  soul,  and  break  me  in  pieces  with 
words  ? 

3  These  ten  times  have  ye  reproached  me :  ye  are  not  ashamed 
that  ye  make  yourselves  strange  to  me. 

4  And  be  it  indeed  that  I  have  erred,  mine  error  remaineth 
with  myself. 

5  If  indeed  ye  will  magnify  yourselves  against  me,  and  plead 
against  me  my  reproach : 

6  Know  now  that  God  hath  overthrown  me,  and  hath  com- 
")  passed  me  with  his  net. 

«4»4s*» 

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\^    44  THE  BOOK  OF 


7  Behold,  I  cry  out  of  wrong,  but  I  am  not  heard  :  I  cry  aloud, 
but  there  is  no  judgment. 

8  He  hath  fenced  up  my  way  that  I  cannot  pass,  and  he  hath 
set  darkness  in  my  paths. 

9  He  hath  stripped  me  of  my  glory,  and  taken  the  crown  from 
my  head. 

10  He  hath  destroyed  me  on  every  side,  and  I  am  gone:  and 
mine  hope  hath  he  removed  like  a  tree. 

11  He  hath  also  kindled  his  wrath  against  me,  and  he  counteth 
me  unto  him  as  one  of  Eis  enemies. 

12  His  troops  come  together,  and  raise  up  their  way  against 
me,  and  encamp  round  about  my  tabernacle. 

13  He  hath  put  my  brethren  far  from  me,  and  mine  acquaint- 
ance are  verily  estranged  from  me. 

14  My  kinsfolk  have  failed,  and  my  familiar  friends  have  for- 
gotten me. 

15  They  that  dwell  in  mine  house,  and  my  maids,  count  me  for 
a  stranger:  I  am  an  alien  in  their  sight. 

16  I  called  my  servant,  and  he  gave  me  no  answer  ;  I  intreated 
him  with  my  mouth. 

17  My  breath  is  strange  to  my  wife,  though  I  intreated  for  the 
children's  sake  of  mine  own  body. 

18  Yea,  young  children  despised  me  ;  I  arose,  and  they  spake 
against  me. 

19  All  my  inward  friends  abhorred  me  :  and  they  whom  I  loved 
are  turned  against  me. 

20  My  bone  cleaveth  to  my  skin  and  to  my  flesh,  and  I  am 
escaped  with  the  skin  of  my  teeth. 

21  Have  pity  upon  me,  have  pity  upon  me,  0  ye  my  friends  ; 
for  the  hand  of  God  hath  touched  me. 

22  Why  do  ye  persecute  me  as  God,  and  are  not  satisfied  with 
my  flesh? 

23  Oh  that  my  words  were  now  written!  oh  that  they  were 
printed  in  a  book  ! 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  45 

24  That  they  were  graven  with  an  iron  pen  and  lead  in  the 
rock  for  ever! 

25  For  I  know  that  my  redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall 
stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  earth: 

26  And  though  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this  body  yet  in 
my  flesh  shall  I  see  God : 

27  Whom  I  shall  see  for  myself,  and  mine  eyes  shall  behold, 
and  not  another;  though  my  reins  be  consumed  within  me. 

28  But  ye  should  say,  Why  persecute  we  him,  seeing  the  root 
of  the  matter  is  found  in  me? 

29  Be  ye  afraid  of  the  sword:  for  wrath  bringeth  the  punish- 
ments of  the  sword,  that  ye  may  know  there  is  a  judgment. 

CHAPTER  20. 

THEN  answered  Zophar  the  Naamathite,  and  said, 
2     Therefore  do  my  thoughts  cause  me  to  answer,  and  for 
this  I  make  haste. 

3  I  have  heard  the  check  of  my  reproach,  and  the  spirit  of 
my  understanding  causeth  me  to  answer. 

4  Knowest  thou  not  this  of  old,  since  man  was  placed  upon 
earth, 

5  That  the  triumphing  of  the  wicked  is  short,  and  the  joy  of 
the  hypocrite  but  for  a  moment  ? 

6  Though  Tils  excellency  mount  up  to  the  heavens,  and  his 
head  reach  unto  the  clouds; 

7  Yet  he  shall  perish  for  ever  like  his  own  dung:  they  which 
have  seen  him  shall  say,  Where  is  he  ? 

8  He  shall  fly  away  as  a  dream,  and  shall  not  be  found :  yea, 
he  shall  be  chased  away  as  a  vision  of  the  night. 

9  The  eye  also  which  saw  him  shall  see  him  no  more;  neither 
shall  his  place  any  more  behold  him. 

10  His  children  shall  seek  to  please  the  poor,  and  his  hands 
shall  restore  their  goods. 

11  His  bones  are  full  of  the  sin  of  his  youth,    which  shall  lie 
down  with  him  in  the  dust. 


46  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

12  Though  wickedness  be  sweet  in  his  mouth,  though  he  hide 
it  under  his  tongue; 

13  Though  he  spare  it,  and  forsake  it  not;  but  keep  it  still 
within  his  mouth : 

14  Yet  his  meat  in  his  bowels  is  turned,  it  is  the  gall  of  asps 
within  him. 

15  He  hath  swallowed  down  riches,  and  he  shall  vomit  them 
up  again:  God  shall  cast  them  out  of  his  belly. 

16  He  shall  suck  the  poison  of  asps:  the  viper's  tongue  shall 
slay  him. 

17  He  shall  not  see  the  rivers,  the  floods,  the  brooks  of  honey 
and  butter. 

18  That  which  he  laboured  for  shall  he  restore,  and  shall  not 
swallow  it  down :  according  to  his  substance  shall  the  restitution  be, 
and  he  shall  not  rejoice  therein. 

19  Because  he  hath  oppressed  and  hath  forsaken  the  poor; 
because  be  hath  violently  taken  away  an  house  which  he  builded 
not;  r 

20  Surely  he  shall  not  feel  quietness  in  his  belly,  he  shall  not 
save  of  that  which  he  desired. 

21  There  shall  none  of  his  meat  be  left;  therefore  shall  no 
man  look  for  his  goods. 

22  In  the  fulness  of  his  sufficiency  he  shall  be  in  straits :  every 
hand  of  the  wicked  shall  come  upon  him. 

23  When  he  is  about  to  fill  his  belly,  God  shall  cast  the  fury 
of  his  wrath  upon  him,  and  shall  rain  it  upon  him  while  he  is 
eating. 

24  He  shall  flee  from  the  iron  weapon,  and  the  bow  of  steel 
shall  strike  him  through. 

25  It  is  drawn,  and  cometh  out  of  the  body;  yea,  the  glitter- 
ing sword  cometh  out  of  his  gall:  terrors  are  upon  him. 

26  All  darkness  shall  be  hid  in  his  secret  places:  a  fire  not 
blown  shall  consume  him;  it  shall  go  ill  with  him  that  is  left  in 
his  tabernacle. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  47 

27  The  heaven  shall  reveal  his  iniquity;  and  the  earth  shall 
rise  up  against  him. 

28  The  increase  of  his  house  shall  depart,  and  his  goods  shall 
flow  away  in  the  day  of  his  wrath. 

29  This  is  the  portion  of  a  wicked  man  from  God,  and  the 
heritage  appointed  unto  him  by  God. 

CHAPTER  21. 

BUT  Job  answered  and  said, 
2     Hear  diligently  my  speech,  and  let  this  be  your  consola- 
tions. 

3  Suffer  me  that  I  may  speak;  and  after  that  I  have  spoken, 
mock  on. 

4  As  for  me,  is  my  complaint  to  man?  and  if  it  were  so,  why 
should  not  my  spirit  be  troubled? 

5  Mark  me,  and  be  astonished,  and  lay  your  hand  upon  your 
mouth. 

6  Even  when  I  remember  I  am  afraid,  and  trembling  taketh 
hold  on  my  flesh. 

7  Wherefore  do  the  wicked  live,  become  old,  yea,  are  mighty 
in  power? 

8  Their  seed  is  established  in  their  sight  with  them,  and  their 
offspring  before  their  eyes. 

9  Their  houses  are  safe  from  fear,  neither  is  the  rod  of  God 
upon  them. 

10  Their  bull  gendereth,  and  faileth  not;  their  cow  calveth, 
and  casteth  not  her  calf. 

11  They  send  forth  their  little  ones  like  a  flock,  and  their 
children  dance. 

12  They  take  the  timbrel  and  harp,  and  rejoice  at  the  sound 
of  the  organ. 

13  They  spend  their  days  in  wealth,   and  in  a  moment  go 
down  to  the  grave. 

14  Therefore  they  say  unto  God,  Depart  from  us;  for  we 
desire  not  the  knowledge  of  thy  ways. 


48  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

15  What  is  the  Almighty,   that  we  should  serve  him?   and 
what  profit  should  we  have,  if  we  pray  unto  him? 

16  Lo,  their  good  is  not  in  their  hand:  the  counsel  of  the 
wicked  is  far  from  me. 

17  How  oft  is  the  candle  of  the  wicked  put  out!  and  how  oft 
cometh  their  destruction  upon  them!  God  distributeth  sorrows  in 
his  anger. 

18  They  are  as  stubble  before  the  wind,  and  as  chaff  that  the 
storm  carrieth  away. 

19  God  layeth  up  his  iniquity  for  his  children:  he  rewardeth 
him,  and  he  shall  know  it. 

20  His  eyes  shall  see  his  destruction,  and  he  shall  drink  of  the 
wrath  of  the  Almighty. 

21  For  what  pleasure  hath  he  in  his  house  after  him,  when 
the  number  of  his  months  is  cut  off  in  the  midst? 

22  Shall  any  teach  God  knowledge?  seeing  he  judgeth  those 
that  are  high. 

23  One  dieth  in  his  full  strength,  being  wholly  at  ease  and 
quiet. 

24  His  breasts  are  full  of  milk,  and  his  bones  are  moistened 
with  marrow. 

25  And  another  dieth  in  the  bitterness  of  his  soul,  and  never 
eateth  with  pleasure. 

26  They  shall  lie  down  alike  in  the  dust,  and  the  worms  shall 
cover  them. 

27  Behold,  I  know  your  thoughts,  and  the  devices  which  ye 
wrongfully  imagine  against  me. 

28  For  ye  say,  Where  is  the  house  of  the  prince?  and  where 
are  the  dwelling  places  of  the  wicked? 

29  Have  ye  not  asked  them  that  go  by  the  way?  and  do  ye 
not  know  their  tokens, 

30  That  the  wicked  is  reserved  to  the  day  of  destruction! 
they  shall  be  brought  forth  to  the  day  of  wrath. 

31  Who  shall  declare  his  way  to  his  face?  and  who  shall  re- 
pay him  what  he  hath  done? 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  49 

32  Yet  shall  he  be  brought  to  the  grave,  and  shall  remain  in 
the  tomb. 

33  The  clods  of  the  valley  shall  be  sweet  unto  him,  and  every 
man  shall  draw  after  him,  as  there  are  innumerable  before  him. 

34  How  then  comfort  ye  me  in  vain,  seeing  in  answers  there 
remaineth  falsehood? 

CHAPTER  22. 

THEN  Eliphaz  the  Temanite  answered  and  said, 
2     Can  a  man  be  profitable  unto  God,  as  he  that  is  wise  may 
be  profitable  unto  himself? 

3  Is  it  any  pleasure  to  the  Almighty,  that  thou  art  righteous? 
or  is  it  gain    to  him,  that  thou  makest  thy  ways  perfect? 

4  Will  he  reprove  thee  for  fear,  of  thee  ?  will  he  enter  with 
thee  into  judgment? 

5  Is  not  thy  wickedness  great?  and  thine  iniquities  infinite? 

6  For  thou  hast  taken  a  pledge  from  thy  brother  for  nought, 
and  stripped  the  naked  of  their  clothing. 

7  Thou  hast  not  given  water  to  the  weary  to  drink,  and  thou 
has  withholden  bread  from  the  hungry. 

8  But  as  for  the  mighty  man,  he  hath  the  earth;  and  the 
honourable  man  dwelt  in  it. 

9  Thou  hast  sent  widows  away  empty,  and  the  arms  of  the 
fatherless  have  been  broken. 

10  Therefore  snares  are  round  about  thee,  and  sudden  fear 
troubleth  thee; 

11  Or  darkness,  that  thou  canst  not  see;  and  abundance  of 
waters  cover  thee. 

12  Is  not  God  in  the  height  of  heaven  ?  and  behold  the  height 
of  the  stars,  how  high  they  are ! 

13  And  thou  sayest,   How  doth   God  know?   can  he  judge 
through  the  dark  cloud? 

14  Thick  clouds  are  a  covering  to  him,  that  he  seeth  not;  and 
he  walketh  in  the  circuit  of  heaven. 

15  Hast  thou  marked  the  old  way  which  wicked  men  have 
trodden  ? 


50  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

16  Which  were  cut  down  out  of  time,  whose  foundation  was 
overflown  with  a  flood: 

17  Which  said  unto  God,  Depart  from  us:  and  what  can  the 
Almighty  do  for  them  ? 

18  Yet  he  filled  their  houses  with  good  things :  but  the  counsel 
of  the  wicked  is  far  from  me. 

19  The  righteous  see  it,  and  are  glad :  and  the  innocent  laugh 
them  to  scorn. 

20  Whereas  our  substance  is  not  cut  down,  but  the  remnant 
of  them  the  fire  consumeth. 

21  Acquaint  now  thyself  with  him,  and  be  at  peace:  thereby 
good  shall  come  unto  thee. 

22  Receive,  I  pray  thee,  the  law  from  his  mouth,  and  lay  up 
his  words  in  thine  heart. 

23  If  thou  return  to  the  Almighty,  thou  shalt  be  built  up, 
thou  shalt  put  away  iniquity  far  from  thy  tabernacles. 

24  Then  shalt  thou  lay  up  gold  as  dust,  and  the  gold  of  Ophir 
as  the  stones  of  the  brooks. 

25  Yea,  the  Almighty  shall  be  thy  defence,  and  thou  shalt 
have  plenty  of  silver. 

26  For  then  shalt  thou  have  thy  delight  in  the  Almighty,  and 
shalt  lift  up  thy  face  unto  God. 

27  Thou  shalt  make  thy  prayer  unto  him,  and  he  shall  hear 
thee,  and  thou  shalt  pay  thy  vows. 

28  Thou  shalt  also  decree  a  thing,  and  it  shall  be  established 
unto  thee :  and  the  light  shall  shine  upon  thy  ways. 

29  When  men  are  cast  down,  then  thou  shalt  say,  There  is 
lifting  up ;  and  he  shall  save  the  humble  person. 

30  He  shall  deliver  the  island  of  the  innocent:  and  it  is  de- 
livered by  the  pureness  of  thine  hands. 

* 

CHAPTER  23. 

THEN  Job  answered  and  said, 
2     Even  to  day  is  my  complaint  bitter:  my  stroke  is  heavier 
than  my  groaning. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  51 

3  Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him !  that  I  might  come 
even  to  his  seat! 

4  I  would  order  my  cause  before  him,  and  fill  my  mouth  with 
arguments. 

5  I  would  know  the  words  which  he  would  answer  me,  and 
understand  what  he  would  say  unto  me. 

6  Will  he  plead  against  me  with  his  great  power?  No;  but 
he  would  put  strength  in  me. 

7  There  the  righteous  might  dispute  with  him;  so  should  I 
be  delivered  for  ever  from  my  judge. 

8  Behold,  I  go  forward,  but  he  is  not  there;  and  backward, 
but  I  cannot  perceive  him: 

9  On  the  left  hand,  where  he  doth  work,  but  I  cannot  behold 
him-,  he  hideth  himself  on  the  right  hand,  that  I  cannot  see  him: 

10  But  he  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take:  when  he  hath  tried 
me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold. 

11  My  foot  hath  held  his  steps,  his  way  have  I  kept,  and  not 
delined. 

12  Neither  have  I  gone  back  from  the  commandment  of  his 
lips;  I  have  esteemed  the  words  of  his  mouth  more  than  my  nec- 
essary food. 

13  But  he  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can  turn  him?  and  what 
his  soul  desireth,  even  that  he  doeth. 

14  For  he  perf ormeth  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for  me :  and 
many  such  things  are  with  him. 

15  Therefore  am   I   troubled  at  his  presence:   when   I   con- 
sider, I  am  afraid  of  him. 

16  For    God    maketh    my    heart    soft,    and    the     Almighty 
troubleth  me: 

17  Because  I  was  not  cut  off  before  the  darkness,   neither 
hath  he  covered  the  darkness  from  my  face. 


\ 


CHAPTER  24. 

are  not  hidden 
they  that  know  him  not  see  his  days? 


YV7HY,   seeing  times  are  not  hidden  from   the  Almighty,   do 


52  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

2  Some   remove   the   landmarks;    they   violently   take  jaway 
flocks,  and  feed  thereof. 

3  They  drive  away  the  ass  of  the  fatherless,  they  take  the 
widow's  ox  for  a  pledge. 

4  They  turn  the  needy  out  of  the  way:  the  poor  of  the  earth 
hide  themselves  together. 

5  Behold,  as  wild  asses  in  the  desert,  go  they  forth  to  their 
work;  rising  betimes  for  a  prey:  the  wilderness  yieldeth  food  for 
them  and  for  their  children. 

6  They  reap  every  one  his  corn  in  the  field:  and  they  gather 
the  vintage  of  the  wicked. 

7  They  cause  the  naked  to  lodge  without  clothing,  and  they 
have  no  covering  in  the  cold. 

8  They  are  wet  with  the  showers  of  the  mountains,  and  em- 
brace the  rock  for  want  of  a  shelter. 

9  They  pluck  the  fatherless  from  the  breast,  and  take  a  pledge 
of  the  poor. 

10  They  cause  him  to  go  naked  without  clothing,  and  they 
take  away  the  sheaf  from  the  hungry; 

11  Which  make  oil  within  their  walls,  and  tread  their  wine- 
presses, and  suffer  thirst. 

12  Men   groan  from   out   of  the   city,   and  the   soul   of  the 
wounded  crieth  out :  yet  God  layeth  not  folly  to  them. 

13  They  are  of  those  that  rebel  against  the  light;  they  know 
not  the  ways  thereof,  nor  abide  in  the  paths  thereof. 

14  The  murderer  rising  with  the  light  killeth  the  poor  and 
needy,  and  in  the  night  is  as  a  thief. 

15  The  eye  also   of  the  adulterer  waiteth  for  the  twilight, 
saying,  No  eye  shall  see  me :  and  disguiseth  his  face. 

16  In   the   dark  they   dig   through   houses,   which   they  had 
marked  for  themselves  in  the  daytime:  they  know  not  the  light. 

17  For  the  morning  is  to  them  even  as  the  shadow  of  death: 
if  one  know  them,  they  are  in  the  terrors  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

18  He  is  swift  as  the  waters;  their  portion  is  cursed  in  the 
earth:  he  beholdeth  not  the  way  of  the  vineyards. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  53 

19  Drought  and  heat  consume  the  snow  waters:  so  doth  the 
grave  those  which  have  sinned. 

20  The  womb  shall  forget  him;  the  worms  shall  feed  sweetly 
on  him;  he  shall  be  no  more  remembered;  and  wickedness  shall 
be  broken  as  a  tree. 

21  He  evil  entreat eth  the  barren  that  beareth  not:  and  doeth 
not  good  to  the  widow. 

22  He  draweth  also  the  mighty  with  his  power  he  riseth  up, 
and  no  man  is  sure  of  life. 

23  Though  it  be  given  him  to  ~be  in  safety,  whereon  he  resteth, 
yet  his  eyes  are  upon  their  ways. 

24  They  are   exalted  for  a   little   while,   but  are   gone   and 
brought  low ;  they  are  taken  out  of  .the  way  as  all  other,  and  cut 
off  as  the  tops  of  the  ears  of  corn. 

25  And  if  it  be  not  so  now,  who  will  make  me  a  liar,  and  make 
my  speech  nothing  worth? 

CHAPTER  25. 

THEN  answered  Bildad  the  Shuhite,  and  said, 
2    Dominion  and  fear  are  with  him,  he  maketh  peace  in  his 
high  places. 

3  Is  there  any  number  of  his  armies?  and  upon  whom  doth 
not  his  light  arise? 

4  How  then  can  man  be  justified  with  God?  or  how  can  he 
be  clean  that  is  born  of  a  woman? 

5  Behold  even  to  the  moon,  and  it  shineth  not;  yea,  the  stars 
are  not  pure  in  his  sight. 

6  How  much  less  man,  that  is  a  worm?  and  the  son  of  man, 
which  is  a  worm? 

CHAPTER  26. 

BUT  Job  answered  and  said, 
2     How  hast  thou  helped  him  that  is  without  power?  how 
savest  thou  the  arm  that  hath  no  strength? 


54  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

3  How  hast  thou  counselled  him  that  hath  no  wisdom?  and 
how  hast  thou  plentifully  declared  the  thing  as  it  is? 

4  To  whom  hast  thou  uttered  words?  and  whose  spirit  came 
from  thee? 

5  Dead  things  are  formed  from  under  the  waters,  and  the  in- 
habitants thereof. 

6  Hell  is  naked  before  him,  and  destruction  hath  no  covering. 

7  He   stretcheth   out   the   north   over   the   empty  place,   and 
hangeth  the  earth  upon  nothing. 

8  He  bindeth  up  the  waters  in  his  thick  clouds ;  and  the  cloud 
is  not  rent  under  them. 

9  He  holdeth  back  the  fact  of  his  throne,  and  spreadeth  his 
cloud  upon  it. 

10  He  hath  compassed  the  waters  with  bounds,  until  the  day 
and  night  come  to  an  end. 

11  The  pillars  of  heaven  tremble  and  are  astonished  at  his 
reproof. 

12  He  divideth  the  sea  with  his  power,  and  by  his  understand- 
ing he  smiteth  through  the  proud. 

13  By  his  spirit  he  hath  garnished  the  heavens;   his  hand 
hath  formed  the  crooked  serpent. 

14  Lo,  these  are  parts  of  his  ways :  but  how  little  a  portion  is 
heard  of  him?  but  the  thunder  of  his  power  who  can  understand? 

CHAPTER  27. 

MOREOVER  Job  continued  his  parable,  and  said, 
2    As  God  liveth,  who  hath  taken  away  my  judgment;  and 
the  Almighty,  who  hath  vexed  my  soul; 

3  All  the  while  my  breath  is  in  me,  and  the  spirit  of  God  is 
in  my  nostrils; 

4  My  lips  shall  not  speak  wickedness,  nor  my  tongue  utter 
deceit. 

5  God  forbid  that  I  should  justify  you:  till  I  die  I  will  not 
remove  mine  integrity  from  me. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  55 

6  My  righteousness  I  hold  fast,  and  will  not  let  it  go:  my 
heart  shall  not  reproach  me  so  long  as  I  live. 

7  Let  mine  enemy  be  as  the  wicked,  and  he  that  riseth  up 
against  me  as  the  unrighteous. 

8  For  what  is  the  hope  of  the  hypocrite,  though  he  hath  gained 
when  God  taketh  away  his  soul? 

9  Will  God  hear  his  cry  when  trouble  cometh  upon  him? 

10  Will  he  delight  himself  in  the  Almighty?  will  he  always 
call  upon  God? 

11  I  will  teach  you  by  the  hand  of  God:  that  which  is  with 
the  Almighty  will  I  not  conceal. 

12  Behold,  all  ye  yourselves  have  seen  it;  why  then  are  ye 
thus  altogether  vain? 

13  This  is  the  portion  of  a  wicked  man  with  God,  and  the 
heritage  of  oppressors,  which  they  shall  receive  of  the  Almighty. 

14  If  his  children  be  multiplied,  it  is  for  the  sword:  and  his 
offspring  shall  not  be  satisfied  with  bread. 

15  Those  that  remain  of  him  shall  be  buried  in  death:  and 
his  widows  shall  not  weep. 

16  Though  he  heap  up  silver  as  the  dust,  and  prepare  raiment 
as  the  clay; 

17  He  may  prepare  it,  but  the  just  shall  put  it  on,  and  the 
innocent  shall  divide  the  silver. 

18  He  buildeth  his  house  as  a  moth,  and  as  a  booth  that  the 
keeper  maketh. 

19  The  rich  man  shall  lie  down,  but  he  shall  not  be  gathered: 
he  openeth  his  eyes,  and  he  is  not. 

20  Terrors  take  hold  on  him  as  waters,   a  tempest  stealeth 
him  away  in  the  night. 

21  The  east  wind  carrieth  him  away,  and  he  departeth:  and 
as  a  storm  hurleth  him  out  of  his  place. 

22  For  God  shall  cast  upon  him,  and  not  spare:  he  would 
fain  flee  out  of  his  hand. 

23  Men  shall  clap  their  hands  at  him,  and  shall  hiss  him  out 
of  his  place. 


56  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

CHAPTER  28. 

SURELY  there  is  a  vein  for  the  silver,  and  a  place  for  gold 
where  they  find  it. 

2  Iron  is  taken  out  of  the  earth,  and  brass  is  molten  out  of 
the  stone. 

3  He  setteth  an  end  to  darkness,  and  searcheth  out  all  per- 
fection: the  stones  of  darkness,  and  the  shadow  of  death. 

4  The  flood  breaketh  out  from  the  inhabitant ;  even  the  waters 
forgotten  of  the  foot :  they  are  dried  up,  they  are  gone  away  from 
men. 

5  As  for  the  earth,  out  of  it  cometh  bread:  and  under  it  is 
turned  up  as  it  were  fire. 

6  The  stones  of  it  are  the  place  of  sapphires :  and  it  hath  dust 
of  gold. 

7  There  is  a  path  which  no  fowl  knoweth,   and  which  the 
vulture's  eye  hath  not  seen: 

8  The  lion's  whelps  have  not  trodden  it,  nor  the  fierce  lion 
passed  by  it. 

9  He  putteth  forth  his  hand  upon  the  rock;  he  overturneth 
the  mountains  by  the  roots. 

10  He  cutteth  out  rivers  among  the  rocks;  and  his  eye  seeth 
every  precious  thing. 

11  He  bindeth  the  floods  from  overflowing;  and  the  thing  that 
is  hid  bringeth  he  forth  to  light. 

12  But  where  shall  wisdom  be  found?  and  where  is  the  place 
of  understanding? 

13  Man  knoweth  not  the  price  thereof;  neither  is  it  found  in 
the  land  of  the  living. 

14  The  depth  saith,  It  is  not  in  me:  and  the  sea  saith,  It  is 
not  with  me. 

15  It  cannot  be  gotten  for  gold,  neither  shall  silver  be  weighed 
for  the  price  thereof. 

16  It  cannot  be  valued  with  the  gold  of  Ophir,  with  the  pre- 
cious onyx,  or  the  sapphire. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  57 

17  The  gold  and  the  crystal  cannot  equal  it :  and  the  exchange 
of  it  shall  not  be  for  jewels  of  fine  gold. 

18  No  mention  shall  be  made  of  coral,  or  of  pearls:  for  the 
price  of  wisdom  is  above  rubies. 

19  The  topaz  of  Ethiopia  shall  not  equal  it,  neither  shall  it  be 
valued  with  pure  gold. 

20  Whence  then  cometh  wisdom?  and  where  is  the  place  of 
understanding  ? 

21  Seeing  it  is  hid  from  the  eyes  of  all  living,  and  kept  close 
from  the  fowls  of  the  air. 

22  Destruction  and  death  say,  We  have  heard  the  fame  thereof 
with  our  ears. 

23  God  understandeth  the  way-  thereof,  and  he  knoweth  the 
place  thereof. 

24  For  he  looketh  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  seeth  under 
the  whole  heaven; 

25  To  make  the  weight  for  the  winds;  and  he  weigheth  the 
waters  by  measure. 

26  When  he  made  a  decree  for  the  rain,  and  a  way  for  the 
lightning  of  the  thunder: 

27  Then  did  he  see  it,  and  declare  it ;  he  prepared  it,  yea,  and 
searched  it  out. 

28  And  unto  man  he  said,  Behold,  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  that 
is  wisdom;  and  to  depart  from  evil  is  understanding. 

CHAPTER  29. 

IV  /I  ORE  OVER  Job  continued  his  parable,  and  said, 

1V1    2     Oh  that  I  were  as  in  months  past,  as  in  the  days  when 

God  preserved  me; 

3  When  his  candle  shined  upon  my  head,  and  when  by  his 
light  I  walked  through  darkness; 

4  As  I  was  in  the  days  of  my  youth,  when  the  secret  of  God 
was  upon  my  tabernacle ; 

5  When  the  Almighty  was  yet  with  me,  when  my  children 
were  about  me; 


58  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

6  When  I  washed  my  steps  with  butter,  and  the  rock  poured 
me  out  rivers  of  oil; 

7  When  I  went  out  to  the  gate  through  the  city,  when  I  pre- 
pared my  seat  in  the  street ! 

8  The  young  men  saw  me,  and  hid  themselves:  and  the  aged 
arose,  and  stood  up. 

9  The  princes  refrained  talking,  and  laid  their  hand  on  their 
mouth. 

10  Nobles  held  their  peace,  and  their  tongue  cleaved  to  the 
roof  of  their  mouth. 

11  When  the  ear  heard  me,  then  it  blessed  me;  and  when  the 
eye  saw  me,  it  gave  witness  to  me : 

12  Because  I  delivered  the  poor  that  cried,  and  the  father- 
less and  him  that  had  none  to  help  him. 

13  The  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came  upon 
me:  and  I  caused  the  widow's  heart  to  sing  for  joy. 

14  I  put  on  righteousness,  and  it  clothed  me:  my  judgment 
was  as  a  robe  and  a  diadem. 

15  I  was  eyes  to  the  blind,  and  feet  was  I  to  the  lame. 

16  I  was  a  father  to  the  poor:  and  the  cause  which  I  knew 
not  I  searched  out. 

17  And  I  brake  the  jaws  of  the  wicked,  and  plucked  the  spoil 
out  of  his  teeth. 

18  Then  I  said,  I  shall  die  in  my  nest,  and  I  shall  multiply  my 
days  as  the  sand. 

19  My  root  was  spread  out  by  the  waters,  and  the  dew  lay  all 
night  upon  my  branch. 

20  My  glory  was  fresh  in  me,  and  my  bow  was  renewed  in 
my  hand. 

21  Unto  me  men  gave  ear,  and  waited,  and  kept  silence  at  my 
counsel. 

22  After  my  words  they  spake  not  again;   and  my  speech 
dropped  upon  them. 

23  And  they  waited  for  me  as  for  the  rain;  and  they  opened 
their  mouth  wide  as  for  the  latter  rain. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  59 

24  //  I  laughed  on  them,  they  believed  it  not;  and  the  light 
of  my  countenance  they  cast  not  down. 

25  I  chose  out  their  way,  and  sat  chief,  and  dwelt  as  a  king 
in  the  army,  as  one  that  comforteth  the  mourners. 


CHAPTER  30. 

BUT  now  they  that  are  younger  than  I  have  me  in  derision, 
whose  fathers  I  would  have  disdained  to  have  set  with  the 
dogs  of  my  flock. 

2  Yea,  whereto  might  the  strength  of  their  hands  profit  me, 
in  whom  old  age  was  perished? 

3  For  want  and  famine  they  were  solitary;  fleeing  into  the 
wilderness  in  former  time  desolate  and  waste. 

4  Who  cut  up  mallows  by  the  bushes,  and  juniper  root  for 
their  meat. 

5  They  were  driven  forth  from  among  men,  (they  cried  after 
them  as  after  a  thief;) 

6  To  dwell  in  the  cliffs  of  the  valleys,  in  caves  of  the  earth, 
and  in  the  rocks. 

7  Among  the  bushes  they  brayed ;  under  the  nettles  they  were 
gathered  together. 

8  They  were  children  of  fools,  yea,     children  of  base  men: 
they  were  viler  than  the  earth. 

9  And  now  am  I  their  song,  yea,  I  am  their  byword. 

10  They  abhor  me,  they  flee  far  from  me,  and  spare  not  to 
spit  in  my  face. 

11  Because  he  hath  loosed  my  cord,  and  afflicted  me,  they 
have  also  let  loose  the  bridle  before  me. 

12  Upon  my  right  hand  rise  the  youth;  they  push  away  my 
feet,  and  they  raise  up  against  me  the  ways  of  their  destruction. 

13  They  mar  my  path,  they  set  forward  my  calamity,  they 
have  no  helper. 

14  They  came  upon  me    as  a  wide  breaking  in  of  waters:  in 
the  desolation  they  rolled  themselves  upon  me. 


60  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

15  Terrors  are  turned  upon  me:  they  pursue  my  soul  as  the 
wind:  and  my  welfare  passeth  away  as  a  cloud. 

16  And  now  my  soul  is  poured  out  upon  me;  the  days  of  af- 
fliction have  taken  hold  upon  me. 

17  My  bones  are  pierced  in  me  in  the  night  season:  and  my 
sinews  take  no  rest. 

18  By  the  great  force  of  my  disease  is  my  garment  changed: 
it  bindeth  me  about  as  the  collar  of  my  coat. 

19  He  hath  cast  me  into  the  mire,  and  I  am  become  like  dust 
and  ashes. 

20  I  cry  unto  thee,  and  thou  dost  not  hear  me:  I  stand  up, 
and  thou  regardest  me  not. 

21  Thou  art  become  cruel  to  me:  with  thy  strong  hand  thou 
opposest  thyself  against  me. 

22  Thou  liftest  me  up  to  the  wind;  thou  causest  me  to  ride 
upon  it,  and  dissolvest  my  substance. 

23  For  I  know  that  thou  wilt  bring  me  to  death,  and  to  the 
house  appointed  for  all  living. 

24  Howbeit  he  will  not  stretch  out  his  hand  to  the  grave, 
though  they  cry  in  his  destruction. 

25  Did  not  I  weep  for  him  that  was  in  trouble?  was  not  my 
soul  grieved  for  the  poor? 

26  When  I  looked  for  good,  then  evil  came  unto  me :  and  when 
I  waited  for  light,  there  came  darkness. 

27  My  bowels  boiled,  and  rested  not:  the  days  of  affliction 
prevented  me. 

28  I  went  mourning  without  the  sun:  I  stood  up,  and  I  cried 
in  the  congregation. 

29  I  am  a  brother  to  dragons,  and  a  companion  to  owls. 

30  My  skin  is  black  upon  me,  and  my  bones  are  burned  with 
heat. 

31  My  harp  also  is  turned  to  mourning,  and  my  organ  into 
the  voice  of  them  that  weep. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  61 

CHAPTER  31. 

1MADE  a  covenant  with  mine  eyes;  why  then  should  I  think 
upon  a  maid? 

2  For  what  portion  of  God  is  there  from  above?  and  ivhat 
inheritance  of  the  Almighty  from  on  high? 

3  Is  not  destruction  to  the  wicked?  and  a  strange  punishment 
to  the  workers  of  iniquity? 

4  Doth  not  he  see  my  ways,  and  count  all  my  steps? 

5  If  I  have  walked  with  vanity,  or  if  my  foot  hath  hasted  to 
deceit ; 

6  Let  me  be  weighed  in  an  even  balance,  that  God  may  know 
mine  integrity. 

7  If  my  step  hath  turned  out  of  the  way,  and  mine  heart 
walked  after  mine  eyes,  and  if  any  blot  hath  cleaved  to  mine  hands ; 

8  Then  let  me  sow,  and  let  another  eat ;  yea,  let  my  offspring 
be  rooted  out. 

9  If  mine  heart  have  been  deceived  by  a  woman,  or  if  I  have 
laid  wait  at  my  neighbor's  door; 

10  Then  let  my  wife  grind  unto  another,  and  let  others  bow 
down  upon  her. 

11  For  this  is  heinous  crime;  yea,  it  is  an  iniquity  to  be  pun- 
ished by  the  judges. 

12  For  it  is  a  fire  that  consumeth  to  destruction,  and  would 
root  out  all  mine  increase. 

13  If  I  did  despise  the  cause  of  my  manservant  or  of  my 
maidservant,  when  they  contended  with  me; 

14  What  then  shall  I  do  when  God  riseth  up?  and  when  he 
visiteth,  what  shall  I  answer  him? 

15  Did  not  he  that  made  me  in  the  womb  make  him?  and  did 
not  one  fashion  us  in  the  womb? 

16  If  I  have  withheld  the  poor  from  their  desire,  or  have 
caused  the  eyes  of  the  widow  to  fail; 

17  Or  have  eaten  my  morsel  myself  alone,  and  the  fatherless 
hath  not  eaten  thereof; 


62  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

18  (From  my  youth  he  was  brought  up  with  me,  as  with  a 
father,  and  I  have  guided  her  from  my  mother's  womb;) 

19  If  I  have  seen  any  perish  for  want  of  clothing,  or  any 
poor  without  covering; 

20  If  his  loins  have  not  blessed  me,  and  if  he  were  not  warmed 
with  the  fleece  of  my  sheep ; 

21  If  I  have  lifted  up  my  hand  against  the  fatherless,  when 
I  saw  my  help  in  the  gate: 

22  Then,  let  mine  arm  fall  from  my  shoulder  blade,  and  mine 
arm  be  broken  from  the  bone. 

23  For  destruction  from  God  was  a  terror  to  me,  and  by  rea- 
son of  his  highness  I  could  not  endure. 

24  If  I  have  made  gold  my  hope,  or  have  said  to  the  fine  gold, 
Thou  art  my  confidence; 

25  If  I  rejoiced  because  my  wealth  was  great,  and  because 
mine  hand  had  gotten  much; 

26  If  I  beheld  the  sun  when  it  shined,  or  the  moon  walking  in 
brightness ; 

27  And  my  heart  hath  been  secretly  enticed,  or  my  mouth 
hath  kissed  my  hand: 

28  This  also  were  an  iniquity  to  be  punished  by  the  judge ; 
for  I  should  have  denied  the  God  that  is  above. 

29  If  I  rejoiced  at  the  destruction  of  him  that  hated  me,  or 
lifted  up  myself  when  evil  found  him : 

30  Neither  have  I  suffered  my  mouth  to  sin  by  wishing  a 
curse  to  his  soul. 

31  If  the  men  of  my  tabernacle  said  not,  Oh  that  we  had  of 
his  flesh !  we  cannot  be  satisfied. 

32  The  stranger  did  not  lodge  in  the  street :  but  I  opened  my 
doors  to  the  traveller. 

33  If  I  covered  my  transgressions  as  Adam,  by  hiding  mine 
iniquity  in  my  bosom : 

34  Did  I   fear  a   great  multitude,   or   did  the   contempt  of 
families  terrify  me,  that  I  kept  silence,  and  went  not  out  of  the 
door? 


^*yw  * ^ 

THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  63 

35  Oh  that  one  would  hear  me !  behold,  my  desire  is,  that  the 
Almighty  would  answer  me,  and  that  mine  adversary  had  written 
a  book. 

36  Surely  I  would  take  it  upon  my  shoulder,  and  bind  it  as  a 
crown  to  me. 

37  I  would  declare  unto  him  the  number  of  my  steps;  as  a 
prince  would  I  go  near  unto  him. 

38  If  my  land  cry  against  me,  or  that  the  furrows  likewise 
thereof  complain; 

39  If  I  have  eaten  the  fruits  thereof  without  money,  or  have 
caused  the  owners  thereof  to  lose  their  life : 

40  Let  thistles  grow  instead  of  wheat,  and  cockle  instead  of 
barley.     The  words  of  Job  are  ended. 

CHAPTER  32. 

SO  these  three  men  ceased  to  answer  Job,  because  he  was  righteous 
in  his  own  eyes. 

2  Then  was  kindled  the  wrath  of  Elihu  the  son  of  Barachel 
the  Buzite,  of  the  kindred  of  Ram:  against  Job  was  his  wrath 
kindled,  because  he  justified  himself  rather  than  God. 

3  Also  against  his  three  friends  was  his  wrath  kindled,  be- 
cause they  had  found  no  answer,  and  yet  had  condemned  Job. 

4  Now  Elihu  had  waited  till  Job  had  spoken,  because  they 
were  elder  than  he. 

5  When  Elihu  saw  that  there  was  no  answer  in  the  mouth 
of  these  three  men,  then  his  wrath  was  kindled. 

6  And  Elihu  the  son  of  Barachel  the  Buzite  answered  and 
said,  I  am  young,  and  ye  are  very  old;  wherefore  I  was  afraid, 
and  durst  not  shew  you  mine  opinion. 

7  I  said,  Days  should  speak,  and  multitude  of  years  should 
teach  wisdom. 

8  But  there  is  a  spirit  in  man:  and  the  inspiration  of  the 
Almighty  giveth  them  understanding. 

9  Great  men  are  not  always  wise :  neither  do  the  aged  under- 
stand judgment. 


64  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

10  Therefore  I  said,  Hearken  to  me;  I  also  will  shew  mine 
opinion. 

11  Behold,  I  waited  for  your  words;  I  gave  ear  to  your  rea- 
sons, whilst  ye  searched  out  what  to  say. 

12  Yea,  I  attended  unto  you,  and,  behold,  there  was  none  of 
you  that  convinced  Job,  or  that  answered  his  words: 

13  Lest  ye   should  say,   We   have   found   out   wisdom:   God 
thrusteth  him  down,  not  man. 

14  Now  he  hath  not  directed  his  words  against  me:  neither 
will  I  answer  him  with  your  speeches. 

15  They  were  amazed,  they  answered  no  more :  they  left  off 
speaking. 

16  When  I  had  waited,   (for  they  spake  not,  but  stood  still, 
and  answered  no  more;) 

17  I  said,  I  will  answer  also  my  part,  I  also  will  shew  mine 
opinion. 

18  For  I  am  full  of  matter,  the  spirit  within  me  constraineth 
me. 

19  Behold,  my  belly  is  as  wine  which  hath  no  vent;   it  is 
ready  to  burst  like  new  bottles. 

20  I  will  speak  that  I  may  be  refreshed:  I  will  open  my  lips 
and  answer. 

21  Let  me  not,  I  pray  you,  accept  any  man's  person,  neither 
let  me  give  flattering  titles  unto  man. 

22  For  I  know  not  to  give  flattering  titles;  in  so  doing  my 
maker  would  soon  take  me  away. 

CHAPTER  33. 

WHEREFORE,  Job,  I  pray  thee,    hear    my    speeches,    and 
hearken  to  all  my  words. 

2  Behold,  now  I  have  opened  my  mouth,   my  tongue  hath 
spoken  in  my  mouth. 

3  My  words  shall  be  of  the  uprightness  of  my  heart:  and  my 
lips  shall  utter  knowledge  clearly. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  65 

4     The  Spirit  of  God  hath  made  me,  and  the  breath  of  the 
Almighty  hath  given  me  life. 

\5     If  thou  canst  answer  me,  set  thy  words  in  order  before  me, 
stand  up. 

6     Behold,  I  am  according  to  thy  wish  in  God's  stead:  I  also 
am  formed  out  of  the  clay. 

7\  Behold,  my  terror  shall  not  make  thee  afraid,  neither  shall 
my  hand  be  heavy  upon  thee. 

8  Surely  thou  hast  spoken  in  mine  hearing,  and  I  have  heard 
the  voice  of  thy  words,  saying, 

9  I  am  clean  without  transgression,  I  am  innocent;  neither 
is  there  iniquity  in  me. 

10  Behold,  he  findeth  occasions  against  me,  he  counteth  me 
for  his  enemy. 

11  He  putteth  my  feet  in  the  stocks,  he  marketh  all  my  paths. 

12  Behold,  in  this  thou  art  not  just:  I  will  answer  thee,  that 
God  is  greater  than  man. 

13  Why  dost  thou  strive  against  him?  for  he  giveth  not  ac- 
count of  any  of  his  matters. 

14  For  God  speaketh  once,  yea  twice,  yet  man  perceiveth  it 
not. 

15  In  a  dream,  in  a  vision  of  the  night,  when  deep   sleep 
falleth  upon  men,  in  slumberings  upon  the  bed; 

16  Then  he  openeth  the  ears  of  men,  and  sealeth  their  in- 
struction, 

17  That  he  may  withdraw  man  from  his  purpose,  and  hide 
pride  from  man. 

18  He  keepeth  back  his  soul  from  the  pit,  and  his  life  from 
perishing  by  the  sword. 

19  He  is  chastened  also  with  pain  upon  his  bed,  and  the  mul- 
titude of  his  bones  with  strong  pain : 

20  So  that  his  life  abhorreth  bread,  and  his  soul  dainty  meat. 

21  His  flesh  is  consumed  away,  that  it  cannot  be  seen;  and 
his  bones  that  were  not    seen  stick  out. 


66  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

22  Yea,  his  soul  draweth  near  unto  the  grave,  and  his  life  to 
the  destroyers. 

23  If  there  be   a  messenger  with   him,   an  interpreter,   one 
among  a  thousand,  to  shew  unto  man  his  uprightness: 

24  Then  he  is  gracious  unto  him,  and  saith,  Deliver  him  from 
going  down  to  the  pit :  I  have  found  a  ransom. 

25  His  flesh  shall  be  fresher  than  a  child's:  he  shall  return 
to  the  days  of  his  youth: 

26  He  shall  pray  unto  God,  and  he  will  be  favourable  unto 
him:  and  he  shall  see  his  face  with  joy:  for  he  will  render  unto 
man  his  righteousness. 

27  He  looketh  upon  men,  and  if  any  say,  I  have  sinned,  and 
perverted  that  which  was  right,  and  it  profited  me  not; 

28  He  will  deliver  his  soul  from  going  into  the  pit,  and  his 
life  shall  see  the  light. 

29  Lo,  all  these  things  worketh  God  oftentimes  with  man. 

30  To  bring  back  his  soul  from  the  pit,  to  be  enlightened 
with  the  light  of  the  living. 

31  Mark  well,  0  Job,  hearken  unto  me:  hold  thy  peace,  and 
I  will  speak. 

32  If  thou  hast  anything  to  say,  answer  me:  speak,  for  I  de- 
sire to  justify  thee. 

33  If  not,  hearken  unto  me :  hold  thy  peace,  and  I  shall  teach 
thee  wisdom. 


CHAPTER  34. 

FURTHERMORE  Elihu  answered  and  said, 
2     Hear  my  words,  0  ye  wise  men;  and  give  ear  unto  me,  ye 
that  have  knowledge. 

3  For  the  ear  trieth  words,  as  the  mouth  tasteth  meat. 

4  Let  us  choose  to  us  judgment :  let  us  know  among  ourselves 
what  is  good. 

5  For  Job  hath  said,  I  am  righteous:  and  God  hath  taken 
away  my  judgment. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  67 

6  Should   I  lie   against   my   right?   my   wound   is   incurable 
without  transgression. 

7  What  man  is  like  Job,  who  drinketh  up  scorning  like  water  ? 

8  Which  goeth  in  company  with  the  workers  of  iniquity,  and 
walketh  with  wicked  men. 

9  For  he  hath  said,  It  profiteth  a  man  nothing  that  he  should 
delight  himself  with  God. 

10  Therefore  hearken  unto   me,   ye   men   of   understanding: 
far  be  it  from  God,  that  he  should  do  wickedness;  and  from  the 
Almighty,  that  he  should  commit  iniquity. 

11  For  the  work  of  a  man  shall  he  render  unto  him,   and 
cause  every  man  to  find  according  to  his  ways. 

12  Yea,  surely  God  will  not  do  wickedly,  neither  will  the  Al- 
mighty pervert  judgment. 

13  Who  hath  given  him   a  charge  over  the   earth?   or  who 
hath  disposed  the  whole  world? 

14  If  he  set  his  heart  upon  man,  if  he  gather  unto  himself  his 
spirit  and  his  breath; 

15  All  flesh  shall  perish  together,  and  man  shall  turn  again 
unto  dust. 

16  If  now  thou  hast  understanding,   hear   this:   hearken  to 
the  voice  of  my  words. 

17  Shall  even  he  that  hateth  right  govern?  and  wilt  thou  con- 
demn him  that  is  most  just. 

18  Is  it  fit  to  say  to  a  king,  Thou  art  wicked?  and  to  princes, 
Ye  are  ungodly? 

19  How  much  less  to  him  that  accepteth  not  the  persons  of 
princes,  nor  regardeth  the  rich  more  than  the  poor?  for  they  all 
are  the  work  of  his  hands. 

20  In   a   moment   shall   they   die,    and   the   people   shall   be 
troubled  at  midnight,  and  pass  away:  and  the  mighty  shall  be 
taken  away  without  hand. 

21  For  his  eyes  are  upon  the  ways  of  man,  and  he  seeth  all 
his  goings. 


68  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

22  There  is  no   darkness,   nor  shadow  of   death,   where   the 
workers  of  iniquity  may  hide  themselves. 

23  For  he  will  not  lay  upon  man  more  than  right;  that  he 
should  enter  into  judgment  with  God. 

24  He  shall  break  in  pieces  mighty  men  without  number,  and 
set  others  in  their  stead. 

25  Therefore   he   knoweth   their  works,   and   he   overturneth 
them  in  the  night,  so  that  they  are  destroyed. 

26  He  striketh  them  as  wicked  men  in  the  open  sight  of 
others ; 

27  Because  they  turned  back  from  him,  and  would  not  con- 
sider any  of  his  ways : 

28  So  that  they  cause  the  cry  of  the  poor  to  come  unto  him, 
and  he  heareth  the  cry  of  the  afflicted. 

29  "When  he  giveth  quietness,  who  then  can  make  trouble? 
and  when  he  hideth  his  face,  who  then  can  behold  him?  whether 
it  be  done  against  a  nation,  or  against  a  man  only: 

30  That  the  hypocrite  reign  not,  lest  the  people  be  ensnared. 

31  Surely  it  is  meet  to  be  said  unto  God,  I  have  borne  chastise- 
ment, I  will  not  offend  any  more : 

32  That  which  I  see  not  teach  thou  me:  if  I  have  done  in- 
iquity, I  will  do  no  more. 

33  Should  it  be  according  to  thy  mind?  he  will  recompense 
it,  whether  thou  refuse,  or  whether  thou  choose;  and  not  I:  there- 
fore speak  what  thou  knowest. 

34  Let  men  of  understanding  tell  me,  and  let  a  wise  man 
hearken  unto  me. 

35  Job  hath  spoken  without  knowledge,  and  his  words  were 
without  wisdom. 

36  My  desire  is  that  Job  may  be  tried  unto  the  end  because 
of  his  answers  for  wicked  men. 

37  For  he  addeth  rebellion  unto  his  sin,  he  clappeth  his  hands 
among  us,  and  multiplieth  his  words  against  God. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  69 

CHAPTER  35. 

ELIHU  spake  moreover,  and  said, 
2     Thinkest  thou  this  to  be  right,  that  thou  saidst,  My  right- 
eousness is  more  than  God's? 

3  For  thou  saidst,  What  advantage  will  it  be  unto  thee?  and, 
What  profit  shall  I  have,  if  I  be  cleansed  from  my  sin? 

4  I  will  answer  thee,  and  thy  companions  with  thee. 

5  Look  unto  the  heavens,   and  see;   and  behold  the   clouds 
which  are  higher  than  thou. 

6  If  thou  sinnest,  what  doest  thou  against  him?  or  if  thy 
transgressions  be  multiplied,  what  doest  thou  unto  him? 

7  If  thou  be  righteous,  what  givest  thou  him?  or  what  re- 
ceiveth  he  of  thine  hand? 

8  Thy  wickedness  may  hurt  a  man  as  thou  art;  and  thy  right- 
eousness may  profit  the  son  of  man. 

9  By  reason  of  the  multitude  of  oppressions  they  make  the 
oppressed  to  cry :  they  cry  out  by  reason  of  the  arm  of  the  mighty. 

10  But  none   saith,   Where   is   God   my  maker,   who   giveth 
songs  in  the  night; 

11  Who  teacheth  us  more  than  the  beasts  of  the  earth,  and 
maketh  us  wiser  than  the  fowls  of  heaven? 

12  There  they  cry,  but  none  giveth  answer,  because  of  the 
pride  of  evil  men. 

13  Surely  God  will  not  hear  vanity,  neither  will  the  Almighty 
regard  it. 

14  Although  thou  sayest  thou  shalt  not  see  him,  yet  judgment 
is  before  him;  therefore  trust  thou  in  him. 

15  But  now,  because  it  is  not  so,  he  hath  visited  in  his  anger; 
yet  he  knoweth  it  not  in  great  extremity: 

16  Therefore  doth  Job  open  his  mouth  in  vain ;  he  multiplieth 
words  without  knowledge. 

CHAPTER  36. 

ELIHU  also  proceeded,  and  said, 
2     Suffer  me  a  little,  and  I  will  shew  thee  that  I  have  yet 
to  speak  on  God's  behalf. 


70  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

3  I   will   fetch   my  knowledge   from   afar,   and   will   ascribe 
righteousness  to  my  Maker. 

4  For  truly  my  words  shall  not  be  false:  he  that  is  perfect 
io  knowledge  is  with  thee. 

5  Behold,  God  is  mighty,  and  despiseth  not  any :  he  is  mighty 
in  strength  and  wisdom. 

6  He  preserveth  not  the  life  of  the  wicked:  but  giveth  right 
to  the  poor. 

7  He  withdraweth  not  his  eyes  from  the  righteous:  but  with 
kings  are  they  on  the  throne;  yea,  he  doth  establish  them  for  ever, 
and  they  are  exalted. 

8  And  if  they  be  bound  in  fetters,  and  be  holden  in  cords  of 
affliction ; 

9  Then   he   sheweth   them   their   work,   and   their   transgres- 
sions that  they  have  exceeded. 

10  He  openeth  also  their  ear  to  discipline,  and  commandeth 
that  they  return  from  iniquity. 

11  If  they  obey  and  serve  him,  they  shall  spend  their  days 
in  prosperity,  and  their  years  in  pleasures. 

12  But  if  they  obey  not,  they  shall  perish  by  the  sword,  and 
they  shall  die  without  knowledge. 

13  But  the  hypocrites  in  heart  heap  up  wrath:  they  cry  not 
when  he  bindeth  them. 

14  They  die  in  youth,  and  their  life  is  among  the  unclean. 

15  He  delivereth  the  poor  in  his  affliction,  and  openeth  their 
ears  in  oppression. 

16  Even  so  would  he  have  removed  thee  out  of  the  strait  into 
a  broad  place,  where  there  is  no  straitness;  and  that  which  should 
be  set  on  thy  table  should  be  full  of  fatness. 

17  But  thou  hast  fulfilled  the  judgment  of  the  wicked:  judg- 
ment and  justice  take  hold  on  thee. 

18  Because  there  is  wrath,  beware  lest  he  take  thee  away  with 
his  stroke:  then  a  great  ransom  cannot  deliver  thee. 

19  Will  he  esteem  thy  riches?  no,  not  gold,  nor  all  the  forces 
of  strength. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  71 

20  Desire  not  the  night,  when  people  are  cut  off  in  their  place. 

21  Take  heed,  regard  not  iniquity:  for  this  hast  thou  chosen 
rather  than  affliction. 

22  Behold,  God  exalteth  by  his  power :  who  teacheth  like  him  ? 

23  Who  hath  enjoined  him  his  way?  or  who  can  say,  Thou 
has  wrought  iniquity? 

24  Remember  that  thou  magnify  his  work,  which  men  behold. 

25  Every  man  may  see  it;  man  may  behold  it  afar  off. 

26  Behold,  God  is  great,  and  we  know  him  not,  neither  can 
the  number  of  his  years  be  searched  out. 

27  For  he  maketh  small  the  drops  of  water:  they  pour  down 
rain  according  to  the  vapour  thereof: 

28  Which  the  clouds  do  drop  and  distil  upon  man  abundantly. 

29  Also  can  any  understand  the  spreadings  of  the  clouds,  or 
the  noise  of  his  tabernacle? 

30  Behold,  he  spreadeth  his  light  upon  it,  and  covereth  the 
bottom  of  the  sea. 

31  For  by  them  judgeth  he  the  people;  he  giveth  meat  in 
abundance. 

32  With  clouds  he  covereth  the  light;   and  commandeth  it 
not  to  shine  by  the  cloud  that  cometh  betwixt. 

33  The  noise  thereof  sheweth  concerning  it,  the  cattle  also 
concerning  the  vapour. 

CHAPTER  37. 

AT  this  also  my  heart  trembleth,  and  is  moved  out  of  his  place. 
2    Hear  attentively  the  noise  of  his  voice,  and  the  sound 
that  goeth  out  of  his  mouth. 

3  He  directeth  it  under  the  whole  heaven,  and  his  lightning 
unto  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

4  After  it  a  voice  roareth:  he  thundereth  with  the  voice  of 
his  excellency;  and  he  will  not  stay  them  when  his  voice  is  heard. 

5  God  thundereth  marvellously  with  his  voice;  great  things 
doeth  he,  which  we  cannot  comprehend. 


72  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

6  For  he  saith  to  the  snow,  Be  thou  on  the  earth;  likewise 
to  the  small  rain,  and  to  the  great  rain  of  his  strength. 

7  He  sealeth  up  the  hand  of  every  man;  that  all  men  may 
know  his  work. 

8  Then  the  beasts  go  into  dens,  and  remain  in  their  places. 

9  Out  of  the  south  cometh  the  whirlwind:  and  cold  out  of 
the  north. 

10  By  the  breath  of  God  frost  is  given:  and  the  breadth  of 
the  waters  is  straitened. 

11  Also  by  watering  he  wearieth  the  thick  cloud :  he  scattereth 
his  bright  cloud. 

12  And  it  is  turned  round  about  by  his  counsels:  that  they 
may  do  whatsoever  he  commandeth  them  upon  the  face  of  the 
world  in  the  earth. 

13  He  causeth  it  to  come,  whether  for  correction,  or  for  his 
land,  or  for  mercy. 

14  Hearken  unto  this,  0  Job:  stand  still,  and  consider  the 
wondrous  works  of  God. 

15  Dost  thou  know  when  God  disposed  them,  and  caused  the 
light  of  his  cloud  to  shine? 

16  Dost  thou  know  the  balancings  of  the  clouds  the  wondrous 
works  of  him  which  is  perfect  in  knowledge? 

17  How  thy  garments  are  warm  when  he  quieteth  the  earth 
by  the  south  windf 

18  Hast  thou  with  him  spread  out  the  sky,  which  is  strong, 
and  as  a  molten  looking  glass  ? 

19  Teach  us  what  we  shall  say  unto  him;  for  we  cannot  or- 
der our  speech  by  reason  of  darkness. 

20  Shall  it  be  told  him  that  I  speak?  if  a  man  speak,  sure- 
ly he  shall  be  swallowed  up. 

21  And  now  men  see  not  the  bright  light  which  is  in  the 
clouds:  but  the  wind  passeth,  and  cleanseth  them. 

22  Fair  weather  cometh  out  of  the  north :  with  God  is  terrible 
majesty. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  73 

23  Touching  the  Almighty,  we  cannot  find  him  out:   he  is 
excellent  in  power,  and  in  judgment,  and  in  plenty  of  justice :  he 
will  not  afflict. 

24  Men  do  therefore  fear  him :  he  respecteth  not  any  that  are 
wise  of  heart. 


CHAPTER  38. 

THEN  the  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind,  and  said, 
2    "Who  is  this  that  darkeneth  counsel  by  words  without 
knowledge  ? 

3  Gird  up  now  thy  loins  like  a  man;  for  I  will  demand  of 
thee,  and  answer  thou  me. 

4  Where  wast  thou  when  I  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth? 
declare,  if  thou  hast  understanding. 

5  Who  hath  laid  the  measures  thereof,  if  thou  knowest?  or 
who  hath  stretched  the  line  upon  it  ? 

6  Whereupon  are  the  foundations  thereof  fastened?  or  who 
laid  the  corner  stone  thereof; 

7  When  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  sons  of 
God  shouted  for  joy? 

8  Or  who  shut  up  the  sea  with  doors,  when  it  brake  forth,  as 
if  it  had  issued  out  of  the  womb  ? 

9  When  I  made  the  cloud  the  garment  thereof,   and  thick 
darkness  a  swaddlingband  for  it. 

10  And  brake  up  for  it  my  decreed  place,  and  set  bars  and 
doors, 

11  And  said,  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  further:  and 
here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed? 

12  Hast  thou  commanded  the  morning  since  thy  days;  and 
caused  the  dayspring  to  know  his  place; 

13  That  it  might  take  hold  of  the  ends  of  the  earth,  that  the 
wicked  might  be  shaken  out  of  it? 

14  It  is  turned  as  clay  to  the  seal;  and  they  stand  as  a  gar- 
ment. 


74  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

15  And  from  the  wicked  their  light  is  withholden,  and  the 
high  arm  shall  be  broken. 

16  Hast  thou  entered  into  the  springs  of  the  sea?  or  hast 
thou  walked  in  the  search  of  the  depth? 

17  Have  the  gates  of  death  been  opened  unto  thee?  or  hast 
thou  seen  the  doors  of  the  shadow  of  death? 

18  Hast  thou  perceived  the  breadth  of  the  earth?  declare  if 
thou  knowest  it  all. 

19  Where  is  the  way  where  light  dwelleth?  and  as  for  dark- 
ness, where  is  the  place  thereof, 

20  That  thou  shouldest  take  it  to  the  bound  thereof,  and  that 
thou  shouldest  know  the  paths  to  the  house  thereof? 

21  Knowest  thou  it,  because  thou  wast  then  born?  or  because 
the  number  of  thy  days  is  great? 

22  Hast  thou  entered  into  the  treasures  of  the  snow?  or  hast 
thou  seen  the  treasures  of  the  hail, 

23  Which  I  have  reserved  against  the  time  of  trouble,  against 
the  day  of  battle  and  war? 

24  By  what  way  is  the  light  parted,   which  scattereth   the 
east  wind  upon  the  earth? 

25  Who  hath  divided  a  watercourse  for  the  overflowing  of 
waters,  or  a  way  for  the  lightning  of  thunder; 

26  To  cause  it  to  rain  on  the  earth,  where  no  man  is;  on  the 
wilderness,  wherein  there  is  no  man; 

27  To  satisfy  the  desolate  and  waste  ground;  and  to  cause 
the  bud  of  the  tender  herb  to  spring  forth? 

28  Hath  the  rain  a  father?  or  who  hath  begotten  the  drops 
of  dew? 

29  Out  of  whose  womb  came  the  ice?  and  the  hoary  frost  of 
heaven,  who  hath  gendered  it? 

30  The  waters  are  hid  as  with  a  stone,  and  the  face  of  the 
deep  is  frozen. 

31  Canst  thou  bind  the  sweet  influences  of  Pleiades,  or  loose 
the  bands  of  Orion? 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  75 

32  Canst  thou  bring  forth  Mazaroth  in  his  season?  or  canst 
thou  guide  Arcturus  with  his  sons? 

33  Knowest  thou  the  ordinances  of  heaven?  canst  thou  set 
the  dominion  thereof  in  the  earth? 

34  Canst  thou  lift  up  thy  voice  to  the  clouds,  that  abundance 
of  water  may  cover  thee? 

35  Canst  thou  send  lightnings,  that  they  may  go,  and  say 
unto  thee,  Here  we  are? 

36  Who  hath  put  wisdom  in  the  inward  parts?  or  who  hath 
given  understanding  to  the  heart? 

37  Who  can  number  the  clouds  in  wisdom?  or  who  can  stay 
the  bottles  of  heaven, 

38  When  the  dust  groweth  into  hardness,  and  the  clods  cleave 
fast  together? 

39  Wilt  thou  hunt  the  prey  for  the  lion?  or  fill  the  appetite 
of  the  young  lions, 

40  When  they  couch  in  their  dens,  and  abide  in  the  covert  to 
lie  in  wait? 

41  Who  provideth  for  the  raven  his  food?  when  his  young 
ones  cry  unto  God,  they  wander  for  lack  of  meat. 

CHAPTER  39. 

KNOWEST  thou  the  time  when  the  wild  goats  of  the  rock 
bring  forth  ?  or  canst  thou  mark  when  the  hinds  do  calve. 

2  Canst  thou  number  the  months  that  they  fulfil?  or  knowest 
thou  the  time  when  they  bring  forth? 

3  They  bow  themselves,  they  bring  forth  their  young  ones, 
they  cast  out  their  sorrows. 

4  Their  young  ones  are  in  good  liking,  they  grow  up  with 
corn;  they  go  forth,  and  return  not  unto  them. 

5  Who  hath  sent  out  the  wild  ass  free?  or  who  hath  loosed 
the  bands  of  the  wild  ass? 

6  Whose  house  I  have  made  the  wilderness,  and  the  barren 
land  his  dwellings. 


76  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

7  He  scorneth  the  multitude  of  the  city,  neither  regardeth 
he  the  crying  of  the  driver. 

8  The  range  of  the  mountains  is  his  pasture,  and  he  searcheth 
after  every  green  thing. 

9  Will  the  unicorn  be  willing  to  serve  thee,  or  abide  by  thy 
crib? 

10  Canst  thou  bind  the  unicorn  with  his  band  in  the  furrow? 
or  will  he  harrow  the  valleys  after  thee? 

11  Wilt  thou  trust  him,  because  his  strength  is  great?  or  wilt 
thou  leave  thy  labour  to  him? 

12  Wilt  thou  believe  him  that  he  will  bring  home  thy  seed, 
and  gather  it  into  thy  barn? 

13  Gavest  thou  the  goodly  wings  unto  the  peacocks?  or  wings 
and  feathers  unto  the  ostrich? 

14  Which  leaveth  her  eggs  in  the  earth,  and  warmeth  them 
in  dust, 

15  And  forgetteth  that  the  foot  may  crush  them,  or  that  the 
wild  beast  may  break  them. 

16  She  is  hardened  against  her  young  ones,  as  though  they 
were  not  her 's :  her  labour  is  in  vain  without  fear  ; 

17  '  Because  God  hath  deprived  her  of  wisdom,  neither  hath 
he  imparted  to  her  understanding. 

18  What  time  she  lifteth  up  herself  on  high,  she  scorneth  the 
horse  and  his  rider. 

19  Hast  thou  given  the  horse  strength?  hast  thou  clothed  his 
neck  with  thunder? 

20  Canst  thou  make  him  afraid  as  a  grasshopper?  the  glory 
of  his  nostrils  is  terrible. 

21  He  paweth  in  the  valley,  and  rejoiceth  in  his  strength:  he 
goeth  on  to  meet  the  armed  men. 

22  He  mocketh  at  fear,  and  is  not  affrighted;  neither  turneth 
he  back  from  the  sword. 

23  The  quiver  rattleth  against  him,  the  glittering  spear  and 
the  shield. 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  77 

24  He    swalloweth    the    ground    with    fierceness    and    rage: 
neither  believeth  he  that  it  is  the  sound  of  the  trumpet. 

25  He  saith  among  the  trumpets,  Ha,  ha;  and  he  smelleth  the 
battle  afar  off,  the  thunder  of  the  captains,  and  the  shouting. 

26  Doth  the  hawk  fly  by  thy  wisdom,  and  stretch  her  wings 
toward  the  south? 

27  Doth  the  eagle  mount  up  at  thy  command,  and  make  her 
nest  on  high? 

28  She  dwelleth  and  abideth  on  the  rock,  upon  the  crag  of 
the  rock,  and  the  strong  place. 

29  From  thence  she  seeketh  the  prey,  and  her  eyes  behold 
afar  off. 

30  Her  young  ones  also  suck  up  blood:  and  where  the  slain 
are,  there  is  she. 

CHAPTER  40. 

MOREOVER  the  LORD  answered  Job,  and  said, 
2     Shall  he  that  contendeth  with  the  Almighty  instruct  him? 
he  that  reproveth  God,  let  him  answer  it. 

3  If  Then  Job  answered  the  LORD,  and  said, 

4  Behold,  I  am  vile;  what  shall  I  answer  thee?  I  will  lay 
mine  hand  upon  my  mouth. 

5  Once  have  I  spoken;  but  I  will  not  answer:  yea,  twice; 
but  I  will  proceed  no  further. 

6  fl  Then  answered  the  LORD  unto  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind, 
and  said, 

7  Gird  up  thy  loins  now  like  a  man:  I  will  demand  of  thee, 
and  declare  thou  unto  me. 

8  Wilt  thou  also  disannul  my  judgment?  wilt  thou  condemn 
me,  that  thou  mayest  be  righteous? 

9  Hast  thou  an  arm  like  God?  or  canst  thou  thunder  with  a 
voice  like  him? 

10  Deck  thyself  now  with  majesty  and  excellency;  and  array 
thyself  with  glory  and  beauty. 

11  Cast   abroad  the   rage   of   thy  wrath:   and   behold   every 
one  that  is  proud,  and  abase  him. 


78  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

12  Look  on  every  one  that  is  proud,  and  bring  him  low,  and 
tread  down  the  wicked  in  their  place. 

13  Hide  them  in  the  dust  together,  and  bind  their  faces  in 
secret. 

14  Then  will  I  also  confess  unto  thee  that  thine  own  right 
hand  can  save  thee. 

15  ft  Behold  now  behemoth,  which  I  made  with  thee;  he  eateth 
grass  as  an  ox. 

16  Lo  now,  his  strength  is  in  his  loins,  and  his  force  is  in  the 
navel  of  his  belly. 

17  He  moveth  his  tail  like  a  cedar:  the  sinews  of  his  stones 
are  wrapped  together. 

18  His  bones  are  as  strong  pieces  of  brass;  his  bones  are  like 
bars  of  iron. 

19  He  is  the  chief  of  the  ways  of  God:  he  that  made  him 
can  make  his  sword  to  approach  unto  him. 

20  Surely  the  mountains  bring  him  forth  food,  where  all  the 
beasts  of  the  field  play. 

21  He  lieth  under  the  shady  trees,  in  the  covert  of  the  reed, 
and  fens. 

22  The  shady  trees  cover  him  with  their  shadow;  the  willows 
of  the  brook  compass  him  about. 

23  Behold,  he  drinketh  up  a  river,  and  hasteth  not :  he  trusteth 
that  he  can  draw  up  Jordan  into  his  mouth. 

24  He   taketh   it   with   his   eyes:   his  nose   pierceth   through 
snares. 


CHAPTER  41. 

CANST  thou  draw  out  leviathan  with  an  hook?  or  his  tongue 
with  a  cord  which  thou  lettest  down. 

2  Canst  thou  put  an  hook  into  his  nose?  or  bore  his  jaw 
through  with  a  thorn? 

3  Will  he  make  many  supplications  unto  thee?  will  he  speak 
soft  words  unto  thee? 


THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  79 

4  Will  he  make  a  covenant  with  thee?  wilt  thou  take  him  for 
a  servant  for  ever? 

5  Wilt  thou  play  with  him  as  with  a  bird?  or  wilt  thou  bind 
him  for  thy  maidens  ? 

6  Shall  the  companions  make  a  banquet  of  him?  shall  they 
part  him  among  the  merchants? 

7  Canst  thou  fill  his  skin  with  barbed  irons?  or  his  head  with 
fish  spears? 

8  Lay  thine  hand  upon  him,  remember  the  battle,  do  no  more. 

9  Behold  the  hope  of  him  is  in  vain:  shall  not  one  be  cast 
down  even  at  the  sight  of  him? 

10  None  is  so  fierce  that  dare  stir  him  up:  who  then  is  able 
to  stand  before  me? 

11  Who  hath  prevented  me,  that  I  should  repay  him?  what- 
soever is  under  the  whole  heaven  is  mine. 

12  I  will  not  conceal  his  parts,  nor  his  power,  nor  his  comely 
proportion. 

13  Who  can  discover  the  face  of  his  garment?  or  who  can 
come  to  him  with  his  double  bridle? 

14  Who  can  open  the  doors  of  his  face?  his  teeth  are  terrible 
round  about. 

15  His  scales  are  his  pride,  shut  up  together  as  with  a  close 
seal. 

16  One  is  so  near  to  another,  that  no  air  can  come  between 
them. 

17  They  are  joined  one  to  another,  they  stick  together,  that 
they  cannot  be  sundered. 

18  By  his  neesings  a  light  doth  shine,  and  his  eyes  are  like 
the  eyelids  of  the  morning. 

19  Out  of  his  mouth  go  burning  lamps,  and  sparks  of  fire 
leap  out. 

20  Out  of  his  nostrils  goeth  smoke,  as  out  of  a  seething  pot 
or  caldron. 

21  His  breath  kindleth  coals,  and  a  flame  goeth  out  of  his 
mouth. 


80  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

22  In  his  neck  remaineth  strength,  and  sorrow  is  turned  into 
joy  before  him. 

23  The  flakes  of  his  flesh  are  joined  together:  they  are  firm 
in  themselves ;  they  cannot  be  moved. 

24  His  heart  is  as  firm  as  a  stone;  yea,  as  hard  as  a  piece  of 
the  nether  millstone. 

25  When  he  raiseth  up  himself,  the  mighty  are  afraid:  by 
reason  of  breakings  they  purify  themselves. 

26  The  sword  of  him  that  layeth  at  him  cannot  hold:  the 
spear,  the  dart,  nor  the  habergeon. 

27  He  esteemeth  iron  as  straw,  and  brass  as  rotten  wood. 

28  The  arrow  cannot  make  him  flee:  slingstones  are  turned 
with  him  into  stubble. 

29  Darts  are  counted  as  stubble:  he  laugheth  at  the  shaking 
of  a  spear. 

30  Sharp  stones  are  under  him:  he  spreadeth  sharp  pointed 
things  upon  the  mire. 

31  He  maketh  the  deep  to  boil  like  a  pot :  he  maketh  the  sea 
like  a  pot  of  ointment. 

32  He  maketh  a  path  to  shine  after  him;  one  would  think  the 
deep  to  be  hoary. 

33  Upon  earth  there  is  not  his  like,  who  is  made  without  fear. 

34  He  beholdeth  all  high  things:  he  is  a  king  over  all  the 
children  of  pride. 


CHAPTER  42. 

THEN  Job  answered  the  LORD,  and  said, 
2     I  know   that   thou   canst    do    every    thing,    and   that  no 
thought  can  be  withholden  from  thee. 

3  Who  is  he  that  hideth  counsel  without  knowledge?  there- 
fore have  I  uttered  that  I  understood  not;  things  too  wonderful 
for  me,  which  I  knew  not. 

4  Hear,  I  beseech  thee,  and  I  will  speak:  I  will  demand  of 
thee,  and  declare  thou  unto  me. 


(\/»  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB  81 

0 

5  I  have  heard  of  thee  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear:  but  now 
mine  eye  seeth  thee. 

6  Wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes. 

7  fl  And  it  was  so,  that  after  the  LORD  had  spoken  these  words 
unto  Job,  the  LORD  said  to  Eliphaz  the  Temanite,  My  wrath  is 
kindled  against  thee,  and  against  thy  two  friends:  for  ye  have 
not  spoken  of  me  the  thing  that  is  right,  as  my  servant  Job  hath. 

8  Therefore  take  unto  you  now  seven   bullocks   and   seven 
rams,  and  go  to  my  servant  Job,  and  offer  up  for  yourselves  a 
burnt  offering;  and  my  servant  Job  shall  pray  for  you:  for  him 
will  I  accept:  lest  I  deal  with  you  after  your  folly,  in  that  ye 
have  not  spoken  of  me  the  thing  which  is  right  like  my  servant  Job. 

9  So  Eliphaz    the    Temanite    and    Bildad    the    Shuhite  and 
Zophar  the  Naamathite  went,  and  did  according  as  the  LORD  com- 
manded them:  the  LORD  also  accepted  Job. 

10  And  the  LORD  turned  the  captivity  of  Job,  when  he  prayed 
for  his  friends:  also  the  LORD  gave  Job  twice  as  much  as  he  had 
before. 

11  Then  came  there  unto  him  all  his  brethren,  and  all  his 
sisters,  and  all  they  that  had  been  of  his  acquaintance  before,  and 
did  eat  bread  with  him  in  his  house:  and  they  bemoaned  him  and 
comforted  him  over  all  the  evil  that  the  LORD  had  brought  upon 
him :  every  man  also  gave  him  a  piece  of  money,  and  everyone  an 
earring  of  gold. 

12  So  the  LORD  blessed  the  latter  end  of  Job  more  than  his 
beginning:  for  he  had  fourteen  thousand  sheep,  and  six  thousand 
camels,  and  a  thousand  yoke  of  oxen,  and  a  thousand  she  asses. 

13  He  had  also  seven  sons  and  three  daughters. 

14  And  he  called  the  name  of  the  first,  Jemima;  and  the 
name  of  the  second,  Kezia;  and  the  name  of  the  third,  Keren- 
happuch. 

15  And  in  all  the  land  were  no  women  found  so  fair  as  the 
daughters  of  Job:  and  their  father  gave  them  inheritance  among 
their  brethren. 


82  THE  BOOK  OF  JOB 

16  After  this  lived  Job  an  hundred  and  forty  years,  and  saw 
his  sons,  and  his  sons'  sons,  even  four  generations. 

17  So  Job  died,  being  old  and  full  of  days. 


So  passed  from  this  earthly  condition  of  being,  a 
mortal  who,  like  thousands  of  others,  had  experienced 
extremes  of  what  we  consider  prosperity  and  adversity 
— of  human  success  and  human  disaster.  His  early  life 
was  in  the  agreeable  sunshine  of  ease  and  abundance, 
but  followed  by  disappointments  and  fortuitous  calam- 
ities, which  brought  to  him  severest  physical  and  men- 
tal suffering;  nevertheless  this  was  his  need,  for  it  was 
the  means  of  bringing  to  him  an  understanding  of  the 
only  true  God,  and  so,  while  his  human  wants  met 
with  defeat,  his  Spiritual  needs,  were  divinely  supplied. 

And  as  in  the  days  of  Job,  even  so  in  this  later  age, 
similar  results,  follow  similar  conditions.  Such  chas- 
tisement comes  to  a  man  of  his  capacity  because  he 
brings  it  upon  himself.  Suffering  was  the  best  thing 
that  had  happened  to  him,  for  it  burned  up  his  dross 
and  purified  his  gold.  It  destroyed  his  folly  and  weak- 
ness and  so  brought  forth  his  "righteousness  as  the 
light,  and  his  judgment  as  the  noonday."  (Ps.  37:6.) 
Therefore  his  final  gain,  was  more  than  his  earlier  loss, 
for  not  only  was  his  own  condition  made  better  in 
every  way — but  he  was  enabled  to  help  his  old  friends 
and  his  new  family.  (Job,  42:9  and  13.) 

And  so  a  man  of  good  desires,  but  hampered  by 
folly,  carelessness  and  self,  was  regenerated  and  trans- 
formed into  an  instrument  for  doing  good  to  his  fellow 
men.  His  condition  thenceforth,  is  grandly  described 
in  the  first  three  verses  of  the  Book  of  Psalms. 


JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

CHAPTER  1. 
Preliminary. 

An  imaginative  dialogue — given  as  a  possible  illus- 
tration of  what  may  have  been  thought  of  Job,  by  his 
contemporaries  and  acquaintances. 

Scene : 

A  roadside  small  farm  and  inn,  in  a  ravine  leading 
from  the  hill  country  to  the  valley,  in  the  land  of  Uz. 

CHARACTERS: 

Jonas,  keeper  of  the  inn,  and  a  small  farmer. 

Zadok,  an  upper  country  squire  and  leading  citizen. 

Two  or  three  herders  and  drivers. 

Mrs.  Jonas  and  children. 

Farm  animals,  etc. 

In  the  forenoon,  Zadok  arrives  at  the  inn. 


Jonas. — I  bow  to  you,  Zadok! 

Zadok. — All  greetings  to  you! 

Jonas. — I  have  been  expecting  you  for  several  days. 

Zadok. — How  is  that? 

Jonas. — I  heard  you  were  collecting  for  Job's  dona- 
tion,* and  were  coming  down  this  way. 

Zadok. — Yes,  I  am  greatly  interested  in  Job's  case, 
and  have  been  working  on  this  line  off  and  on  for  some 
weeks. 

*For  an  account  of  Job's  donation  see,  Job  42:11. 

83 


84  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Jonas. — Glad  to  hear  it.  You  are  just  the  man  for 
it.  I  have  heard  many  opinions  about  Job,  and  nearly 
all  agree  that  he  is  about  the  squarest  man,  taking  all 
things  into  account,  that  we  can  reckon  on.  Now  to 
me,  Job  and  his  wife  seem  'bout  like  Adam  and  Eve. 
They  had  too  easy  a  time  of  it  when  they  started  in, 
got  themselves  into  trouble — one  as  bad  as  tother — 
had  to  get  out  of  the  garden  and  start  over  again — had 
to  work  instead  of  sitting  'round  doing  nothing;  and 
a  man  will  do  lots  of  things  when  he's  got  to.  I've 
found  that  out  by  myself!  Well,  how  did  you  make 
out  collecting? 

Zadok. — Fairly;  I  saw  and  talked  with  nearly  all 
the  farmers  in  our  region;  some  gave  liberally — even 
camels — some  gave  all  they  could — even  though  only 
a  sheep — a  few  gave  gold.  Some  wouldn't  do  anything, 
and  pretended  they  knew  all  about  Job,  and  he  was 
"no  good"!  How  easy  it  is  to  find  reasons  for  being 
mean,  isn't  it?  Some  of  these  same  fellows  used  to 
shout  for  Job  before  he  fell  down.  And  they  really 
knew  little  or  nothing  about  him — didn't  grow  up  and 
go  to  school  with  him,  as  I  did.  What  are  you  going 
to  do  for  us,  Jonas? 

Jonas. — I've  been  thinking  some  about  that  lately; 
thought  some  about  giving  my  wife's  earrings,  but  she 
said  they  were  not  solid  and  we  would  be  ashamed  to 
give  such  stuff.  So — I — don't — quite — know — . 

Zadok. — Yes,  yes;  I  never  thought  there  was  any- 
thing very  bad  about  you,  but  I  always  said  your  wife 
was  the  best  part  of  you. 

Jonas. — I  guess  so.  Now,  you  know  my  uncle, 
Esdras,  down  at  Big  Flat,  he  is  going  to  turn  in  his  big 


PRELIMINARY  85 

red  oxen;  I  heard  him  say  so — and  they  are  as  likely  a 
pair  of  cattle  as  I  most  ever  did  see;  heavy,  kind,  hon- 
est and  well  broke. 

Zadok. — I  know  Esdras — knew  him  many  years  be- 
fore you  were  born,  and  I  am  intending  to  stop  over 
with  him  tonight.  The  red  oxen  will  be  all  right;  but 
before  we  leave  in  the  morning  he  will  turn  in  a  couple 
of  camels  besides.  If  not,  you  tell  me  about  it.  Now, 
there's  the  herd  coming  down  the  trail.  What  is  Jonas 
going  to  do? 

Jonas  (hesitating). — Well,  I've  got  a  very  fine 
blooded  goat  that  I've  been  thinking  some  about — and 
a  little  about  that  brindle  heifer.  Uncle  Esdras  says 
that  goat  is  really  first-class,  and  everybody  that  sees 
him  seems  to  be  of  the  same  way  of  thinking.  See  how 
comely  and  lithe  he  is, — and  what  a  clear  eye  he  has — 
and — 

(Here  Mrs.  Jonas  calls  out  from  the  door:  "Now, 
Jonas,  you  know  that's  a  good-for-nothing  goat.  You 
just  give  the  brindle  heifer,  same  as  I  told  you."  And 
the  heifer  is  driven  away  with  the  passing  herd.) 

Zadok  (sitting  down  for  a  few  minutes'  rest  be- 
fore following  the  herd). — Now,  didn't  I  say  your  wife 
was  the  best  part  of  you?  You  won't  be  sorry  for  giv- 
ing that  heifer.  You  have  done  a  kind  act,  and  will  be 
repaid  in  some  way,  even  if  you  never  know  how.  Job 
always  was  a  good  fellow  at  heart,  but  you  mark  my 
words,  he'll  be  better  now  than  he  ever  was  before, 
because  misfortunes  will  improve  every Jtngn  that  lives 
through  them;  and  he  has  had  his  share.  When  we 
were  boys  together,  he  was  the  brightest  boy  in  the 
school,  and  as  kind  and  unselfish  as  he  was  bright.  He 


86  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

would  help  all  the  boys  who  were  backward — often 
gave  me  a  lift  on  some  tough  problem — and  he  was  al- 
ways ready  to  fight,  even  a  bigger  boy  than  himself, 
for  imposing  on  some  weaker  boy  or  underling.  And 
this  kind  of  work — for  others — he  just  took  delight  in. 
And  as  he  grew  to  be  a  young  man  he  was  just  the 
same  kind  of  a  fellow.  His  father  thought  the  world 
of  him,  but  the  old  man  was  very  strict  and  severe,  and 
kept  him  along  very  close  lines.  He  tried  all  he  could 
to  make  Job  as  good  a  business  man  as  he  himself  was. 

But  Job  had  his  own  notions,  and  didn't  always  take 
the  old  man's  advice.  He  would  often  follow  his  own 
inclinations — right  or  wrong — no  matter  what  the  old 
man  said  or  thought.  He  considered  his  father  behind 
the  times.  And  when  his  own  boys  grew  up,  they  all 
seemed  to  have  a  corresponding  opinion  of  him. 

Now,  his  mother  was  quite  different.  She  used  to 
let  him  have  his  own  way  and  about  always  took  his 
part  when  his  father  scolded  or  found  fault  with  him. 
Consequently,  the  old  man's  influence  grew  less  and 
less,  and  this  worried  him  till  he  died.  And  when  Job 
came  into  his  property  he  just  made  things  hum.  He 
was  like  a  fiery  horse  without  a  bridle.  He  married, 
but  I  have  heard  that  his  wife  was  a  very  showy  wo- 
man, and  only  helped  Job  to  splurge,  more  than  to  be 
careful  and  considerate.  Well,  for  a  time  things  seemed 
to  go  along  as  well,  or  better,  than  when  the  old  man 
was  managing.  She  got  to  be  more  and  more  extrava- 
gant in  every  way,  and  Job  was  as  generous  as  she  was 
reckless.  His  kindness  made  him  forget  prudence. 
But  no  one  seemed  to  realize  how  much  he  was  in  debt 
till  bad  luck  came  upon  him,  and  then  everything  broke 


PRELIMINARY  87 

out  at  once.  His  creditors  made  a  regular  stampede- 
seized  and  sold  off  all  his  stock  and  whatever  he  had, 
nor  did  he  try  to  keep  anything  back — just  let  it  all  go. 
And  he  seemed  to  stand  up  pretty  well  so  far,  but  when 
that  hurricane  destroyed  the  big  house  he  had  built 
for  his  eldest  son — you  know  all  his  ten  children  were 
killed  in  that  smash  up — he  broke  down  completely. 
Job  thought  the  world  and  all  of  his  boys  and  used  to 
feel  that  he  was  somewhat  to  blame  for  their  wildness, 
for  in  his  younger  days  he  himself  was  not  as  steady 
as  might  have  been.  And  he  used  to  think  more  about 
this  whenever  they  had  one  of  their  drinking  carousals. 
(Job  1:4,  5  and  18.)  He  tried  then  to  straighten  them 
out,  but  'twas  too  late. 

Well,  both  he  and  his  wife  took  to  worrying  and 
fretting  about  it,  and  that  did  them  no  good.  She  went 
wild  over  it,  and  Job,  harassed  by  their  condition,  could 
hardly  sleep  or  rest.  Discouragement  brought  disease 
and  made  him  a  very  sick  man.  His  wife  blamed  God 
for  all  their  troubles,  but  her  foolishness  seemed  to 
bring  him  to  his  senses.  (Job  2:9  and  10.) 

This  will  I  say  for  Job,  though  he  was  not  satisfied, 
yet  he  retained  a  strong  faith  in  God  (Job  19:25-26; 
also  23:10).  That  was  his  anchor — faith  in  God.  But, 
Jonas,  let  me  tell  you  something:  Implicit  and  unyield- 
ing faith  in  God,  even  though  we  do  not  understand 
his  dealings,  is  the  grandest  asset  that  any  man  can 
have,  for  it  will  be  a  support  to  him  when  all  things 
else  fail.  And  this,  Job's  experience  has  helped  me  to 
realize.  He  had  been  a  man  with  strong  trust  in  what 
we  call  reasoning  power  (or  will  power)  all  his  former 
life,  but  since  then  a  vast  transformation  has  come 


88  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

over  him.  He  says  his  Spiritual  eyes  have  been  opened 
and  his  Spiritual  ears  have  been  unstopped.  It  seems 
strange  but  I  am  inclined  to  believe  in  him,  even  if  I 
do  not  entirely  comprehend  his  ideas;  but  this  I  will 
say,  that  since  my  last  talk  with  him,  I  am  able  to  un- 
derstand some  old  things  that  always  used  to  puzzle 
me.  I  want  to  know  more  about  this  Spiritual  sight 
and  understanding,  that  builds  up  a  man  both  in  body 
and  in  mind,  as  illustrated  in  his  case. 

You  must  have  known  his  boys? 

Jonas. — Yes,  somewhat.  They  were  mostly  older 
than  I  and  wouldn't  hardly  look  at  me.  My  father 
didn't  have  the  shekels.  They  used  to  have  camel 
races  every  day — to  school  in  the  morning,  and  back 
home  in  the  evening;  and  I  tell  you,  we  little  fellows 
had  to  clear  the  track  and  get  out  of  the  way.  So  did 
the  geese  and  the  dogs,  and  even  grown  folks,  too. 
They  were  terrors!  Always  had  liquor  with  them 
when  they  came,  and  empty  bottles  when  they  went 
back.  Wet  or  dry,  hot  or  cold,  it  made  no  difference. 
They  kicked  up  an  awful  dust  in  dry  weather  and 
splashed  through  the  mud  when  it  rained.  Sometimes 
one  would  win  and  sometimes  another,  and  they  often 
disputed  and  quarreled  about  crowding,  and  such  like 
— I've  seen  'em  fight  over  it. 

Jubal — we  all  called  him  Jube — he  was  about  the 
worst  of  the  lot.  Well,  one  day  he  struck  Marcus — he 
was  just  as  bad — in  the  face.  Marcus  pulled  out  a  knife 
and  chased  Jube  all  around  the  court  and  up  the  road, 
so  he  didn't  come  back  till  next  day.  I  don't  know 
how  they  settled  it. 

After  they  got  married,  I  pretty  much  lost  account 


PRELIMINARY  89 

of  them — only  used  to  hear  once  in  awhile,  but  I  disre- 
member  hearing  much  good  about  'em.  Elon,  the 
youngest,  was  about  my  age.  As  a  little  chap  he  was 
first  rate,  but  I  heard  that  when  he  grew  up,  he  was 
about  like  the  rest,  or  maybe  worse,  for  he  had  more 
bad  patterns  to  follow  after,  and  that  might  naturally 
have  worked  against  him.  But  I  don't  really  know  and 
have  paid  no  attention  to  it.  I've  got  about  all  I  can 
do  keepin'  myself  straight.  And  whenever  I  do  happen 
to  think  about  these  more  important  folks — and  their 
troubles,  it  makes  me  more  contented  right  here  on 
my  little  place.  If  my  house  -should  blow  down,  it 
wouldn't  be  apt  to  hurt  any  of  us.  Ha!  Ha!  Ha! 
There's  some  good  in  being  poor  after  all. 

Zadok. — Truly,  yes,  Jonas!  There's  more  truth  in 
what  you  have  just  said  than  men  are  apt  to  remember. 
Truly  yes. 

(They  part  with  expressions  of  good  will,  Zadok 
riding  down  the  road, — Jonas  going  to  his  farm  work 
and  wishing  himself  like  his  departing  friend.) 

Zadok  (soliloquizing). — "Surely.  It  takes  every- 
thing to  make  a  world !  Surely,  we  all  have  our  special 
place  and  our  appointed  work.  Surely,  this  young  fel- 
low, contentedly  living  a  simple  life,  doing  his  plain 
duty,  useful  to  his  family  and  those  who  depend  upon 
him — surely,  he  is  better  off  than  Job's  boys  at  their 
best — better  off  than  Job — and  surely — better  off  than 
I!  O,  for  contentment!  But  why  should  not  I  be  as 
contented  with  my  work  as  he  is  with  his?  He  gives 
me  something  on  which  to  study:  a  lesson  to  make 
useful.  Let  every  man  stand  in  his  own  place,  and  do 
that  work  which  is  appointed  for  him.  If  he  sincerely 


90  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

desires  to  know  his  work  it  will  become  apparent  to 
him  what  he  should  do.  How  much  time  we  waste  in 
attempting  to  do  that  which  is  useless  or  perhaps  worse 
— or  that  we  are  not  fitted  for!  Yes,  yes;  well,  so  goes 
the  world!" 


A  younger  man  than  I  has  read  this  little  dialogue 
and  promptly  comments  as  follows: 

"It  is  too  hypothetical  and  a  mistake.  Job  was  a 
perfect  and  an  upright  man.  The  Bible  so  states  in 
the  first  verse  of  the  book,  and  the  Lord  said  so  in  the 
eighth  verse  of  the  first  chapter." 

Granted,  my  young  friend;  and  I  am  glad  to  find 
you  are  something  of  a  student  of  the  Bible.  Also  I 
advise,  my  boy,  that  you  continue  this  most  important 
study  and  do  not  delay  it.  Your  present  concept  of 
Job  may  be  modified.  I  am  glad,  however,  for  the 
criticism,  for  it  show  the  superficial  impression  of 
many. 

No  living  man  can  perfectly  understand,  much  less 
explain,  the  deep  meanings  of  the  Bible  (2nd  Peter 
3:16).  Nor  Peter,  nor  Paul,  could  see  clearly.  Hu- 
man knowledge  does  not  do  the  work  of  that  wisdom 
which  comes  through  the  Spiritual  channel.  Neverthe- 
less, there  stands  Jesus'  command,  "Search  ye  the 
Scriptures." 

So  let  us  look  at  the  sixth,  seventh  and  eighth  verses 
of  the  first  chapter  of  Job,  which  says: 

"Now,  there  was  a  day  when  the  Sons  of  God  came 
to  present  themselves  before  the  Lord,  and  Satan  came 
also  among  them." 

"And   the   Lord   said   unto    Satan,    'Whence   comest 


PRELIMINARY  91 

thou/  Then  Satan  answered  the  Lord,  and  said,  'From 
going  to  and  fro  in  the  earth,  and  from  walking  up  and 
down  in  it.' ' 

"And  the  Lord  said  unto  Satan,  'Hast  thou  consid- 
ered my  servant  Job,  that  there  is  none  like  him  in  the 
earth,  a  perfect  and  an  upright  man,  one  that  feareth 
God  and  escheweth  evil?' ' 

"To  and  fro!"  "Up  and  down!"  Homeless!  No 
Rest!  (Matth.  12:43.) 

The  sixth  verse  makes  it  clear  that  Satan  is  not  one 
of  the  sons  of  God  but  an  intruder.  He  is,  however, 
recognized  by  the  Lord.  Is  not  .this  Lord  the  same  as 
the  one  first  mentioned  in  the  fourth  verse  of  the  sec- 
ond chapter  of  Genesis,  who  formed  material  man? 
Examine  and  consider  this  subject  "ye  wise  men." 

"Whence  comest  thou?"  Sure  enough!  Quite  an 
important  question. 

And  the  answer  also,  "From  going  to  and  fro  in  the 
earth,  and  from  walking  up  and  down  in  it."  So ! 

And  yet,  this  evasive  and  delusive  excuse  for  an  an- 
swer, is  accepted  by  this  Lord,  who  goes  on  to  question 
and  confer  with  Satan,  as  though  on  terms  of  equality. 
So! 

We  have  no  record  of  the  author.  But  let  us  begin 
by  considering  who  was  the  speaker,  and  to  whom  was 
he  speaking;  and  straightway  these  questions  come  up: 

1st.     Does  Deity  confer  with  and  consult  Satan? 

2nd.  Does  God  debate  and  bargain  with  the  Devil 
("a  liar  from  the  beginning  and  the  father  of  it")  in 
his  dealings  with  men? 

3rd.     Is  God,  who  is  love,  influenced  by  hate? 


92  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

4th.  Are  these  the  methods  of  Spirit,  or  "a  Spirit" 
—God? 

5th.     Is  there  a  perfect  man  in  the  earth? 

Now,  unless  these  five  direct  questions  can  be  an- 
swered affirmatively,  we  have  absolutely  no  evidence 
of  Job's  perfection  or  uprightness  during  his  early  days 
of  material  prosperity,  except  his  own  words.  These 
words  his  three  friends  attributed  to  self-righteousness 
(Job  32:1).  And  the  "suffering  still  continues." 

Furthermore,  Elihu,  addressing  the  three  "wise 
men"  (who  claimed  to  be  better  than  Job,  but  were  not 
so,  as  finally  shown),  gave  his  estimate  of  their  friend 
(Job  34:  7,  8,  9),  and  the  "suffering  still  continues." 

Finally  Job  himself,  when  he  discerns  the  voice  of 
Eternal  Truth  out  of  the  whirlwind  of  his  own  ex- 
perience and  his  awakened  consciousness,  confesses  and 
acknowledges,  with  these  words:  "Behold  I  am  vile; 
— I  will  lay  mine  hand  upon  my  mouth ;"  and  still  later, 
when  his  Spiritual  eyes  are  opened,  he  says:  "But  now 
mine  eye  seeth  thee — wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  re- 
pent in  dust  and  ashes."  Where  now  is  the  evidence,  of 
"a  perfect  and  an  upright  man — in  the  earth"? 

Job  was  possibly,  even  probably,  about  sixty  or  sev- 
enty years  of  age,  when  the  most  wonderful  experience 
of  his  earthly  career  came  to  him.  This  may  be  pre- 
sumed, from  his  having  grown-up  sons  and  daughters, 
living  in  their  different  houses  and  enjoying  the  flippant 
lives  of  the  careless.  Had  he  not  thus  passed  through 
his  allotted  "three  score  and  ten"?  And  if  then,  Job 
lived  140  years,  (Chapter  42:  16),  this  would  make  him 
some  200  years  of  age,  indicating  that  he  was  of  a  period 
earlier  than  Moses,  who  lived  only  120  years. 


PRELIMINARY  93 

The  writer  would  not  willingly  be  unjust  to  the 
memory  of  Job.  I  estimate  him  from  a  knowledge  of 
men  that  I  have  seen  and  known;  and  from  my  own 
severe  trials.  I  do  not  believe  he  was  a  distinctly  bad 
man,  nor  a  type  of  such,  but  that,  in  common  with  the 
rest  of  mankind,  he  needed  the  regeneration  which  final- 
ly came.  "Experience  is  a  great  teacher !" 

I  have  no  confidence  in  the  recommendations  of  that 
so-called  lord  who  is  supposed  to  have  talked  with  the 
devil,  and  who  claimed  to  be  the  master  of  Job.  Aye! 
I  will  go  farther,  even  though  he  may  have  had  domin- 
ion over  me  for  "three  score  years  and  ten."  I  utterly 
repudiate  him !  I  deny  his  pretension ! 

What  says  Isaiah  on  this  subject.  ."O,  Lord,  our 
God,  other  lords  beside  Thee  have  had  dominion  over 
us;  but  by  Thee  only,  will  we  make  mention  of  Thy 
name.  They  are  dead,  they  shall  not  live;  they  are 
deceased,  they  shall  not  rise."  (Is.  26:  13,  14.) 

The  real  Master  once  said  "The  Prince  of  this  world 
cometh  and  hath  nothing  in  me."  Who,  or  what  is 
this  prince? 

I  do  not  presume  to  fully  comprehend  the  great 
truths  of  the  Bible  but,  nevertheless,  from  my  present 
light,  I  believe  that  this  "prince  of  this  world",  the 
Lord  spoken  of  in  Job  as  talking  with  Satan,  and  the 
Lord  who  "formed  man  out  of  the  dust  of  the  ground", 
if  not  the  same,  are  closely  related  together !  And  far- 
ther,— on  this  I  stand:  To  believe  in  them  as  Deity, 
or  of  Deity,  is  to  dishonor  God,  Eternal  Good. 

These  so-called  lords,  are  the  "lions,"  "adders,"  and 
"dragons," — which  regenerated  man  "shalt  trample  un- 
der feet."  (Ps.  91:  13.) 


94  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

"God  is  Spirit;"  and  the  overshadowing  command, 
— itself  forever  Spiritual — is,  "Thou  shalt  have  no  other 
gods,  before  Me." 

Nineteen  hundred  years  ago  Jesus  said  to  the  tempt- 
er, "the  prince  of  this  world",  "Get  thee  behind  me, 
Satan  *  *  *  thou  shalt  not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God." 
So  says  the  Christ,  today. 

Is  it  difficult  to  see  the  utter  falsity,  of  a  statement 
that  "the  Lord  thy  God"  ever  conferred  with  Satan? 

CHAPTER  2. 
A  Summary. 

The  fourth  chapter  of  the  Book  of  Daniel  is  repre- 
sented to  have  been  the  work  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  King 
of  Assyria.  There  is  a  notable  similarity  between  his 
experience  and  that  of  Job,  which  it  is  interesting  to 
compare. 

We  naturally  sympathize  with  Job.  Suffering  ex- 
cites the  emotion  of  pity.  Superficially  we  regard  him 
as  a  fine  example  of  an  upright  man  and  he  evidently 
was  (or  had  previously  been)  in  the  full  enjoyment  of 
an  excellent  opinion  of  himself;  and  his  much  valued 
reputation.  The  historical  account  gives  him  an  ex- 
alted position.  His  three  friends  apparently  respect 
him  and  are  very  considerate  in  the  early  part  of  the 
controversy,  but  in  their  later  words,  when  they  be- 
come annoyed  and  angry,  they  charge  him  with  swin- 
dling, oppression  and  cruelty.  Some  men,  even  in  our 
day,  will  suggest,  hint  and  insinuate,  but  get  them  an- 
gry and  they  become  more  reliably  correct  and  state  the 
facts;  then,  as  we  say,  "the  truth  comes  out." 


A  SUMMARY  95 

The  writer  claims  to  understand  Job  through  simi- 
larity of  experiences  and,  therefore,  it  follows  that  in 
showing  his  faults,  I  must  admit  my  own  and  condemn 
myself.  So  let  it  be.  Even  this  shall  not  deter  me  from 
telling  the  truth,  for  the  parallel  must  not  be  abridged. 
Job  had  not  been  quite  what  he  claimed  to  be  (Chap. 
29:  14).  'Tutting  on  righteousness,"  he  gave  himself 
credit  for  doing  so  much  good  to  those  who  surrounded 
him,  and  this  was  probably  true.  How  easily  we  refer 
to  the  great  amount  of  good  we  have  done,  and  are 
proud  of  it! 

In  my  own  case,  I  must  acknowledge  in  the  interest 
of  Truth  (for  which  I  have  more  regard  now  in  my 
seventies  than  in  my  former  days),  that  my  desire  for 
success  in  business  controlled  me  more  than  any  other 
motive.  This  willingness  to  favor  one's  self  is  a  knave 
that  whispers  at  the  ear  of  every  business  man.  Let  him 
not  forget  this !  And  also  let  him  bear  in  mind,  that  all 
the  good  he  may  do  for  humanity,  will  not  justify  him 
in  following  the  counsel  of  this  wilful  devil — selfishness, 
which  baffles  the  influence  of  a  man's  righteousness. 

Are  men  of  reputation  for  good  works,  equally  will- 
ing to  tell  the  truth  concerning  the  mistakes  that  make 
up  the  other  and  less  satisfactory  side  of  their  experi- 
ence— the  selfish  work  of  former  days?  How  about 
you,  reader — how  about  you?  Think  this  over! 

Have  you  not  often  heard  men  talk  of  what  wonder- 
ful examples  of  uprightness,  liberality,  kindness  and  ex- 
cellence they  "used  to  be,"  before  they  had  bad  luck? 
Or  does  not  a  lazy  man  delight  in  detailing  how  tre- 
mendously he  used  to  work  in  former  years,  or  in  some 
other  place  or  position?  Such  men  build  often  upon 


96  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

what  they  think  their  listeners  may  not  be  aware  of, 
therefore  it  may  be  proper  (and  certainly  prudent)  to 
take  such  statements  with  a  few  grains  of  considerate 
seasoning.  I  see  no  reason  for  making  an  exception, 
even  in  Job's  case.  Many  men  have  done  the  same 
thing.  Men  still  are  boasters ! 

It  is  made  plain  that  Elihu,  with  all  his  chanty  and 
kindness  toward  Job,  did  not  fail  to  consider  both  his 
virtues  and  his  faults.  (See  Chap.  34:  4,  7,  8,  9,  35,  36, 
37;  also  36,  17  and  21.) 

Paul,  in  his  early  life,  prided  himself  on  being  "a 
Pharisee,  the  son  of  a  Pharisee"  and  "lived  a  Pharisee." 
So !  Now,  my  friends,  let  us  think  of  this,  remembering, 
that  we  are  dealing  with  facts  in  all  earnestness  and  sin- 
cerity, trying  to  be  absolutely  honest  and  to  call  things 
by  their  right  names.  In  the  23rd  chapter  of  Matthew, 
the  Master  describes  what  the  Pharisees  really  were. 
And  today,  "Pharisees  and  sons  of  Pharisees"  are  re- 
clining in  the  homes  of  wealth,  directing  finance  in 
richly  fitted  offices  of  bankers,  sitting  in  judges'  chairs 
in  our  courts — yes,  and  in  some  cases,  preaching  from 
religious  pulpits.  Oh  ye  Pharisees!  Regeneration 
must  come  to  you  "some  way — somewhere,"  even  as 
it  came  to  Job,  or  to  Saul  of  Tarsus. 

O  Job !  O  Paul !  Regeneration  came  to  you !  Even 
you!  (John  3:  6  and  7.)  The  solicitude  of  the  Phari- 
sees, ancient  or  modern,  to  appear  upright,  preponder- 
ates over  their  desire  to  be  correct.  They  say  and  do 
not.  They  are  inconsiderate  of  others  and  live  in  a  con- 
tinual surfeit  of  selfishness. 

There  are  today  thousands  of  men  in  all  walks  of 
life  who  might,  with  advantage  and  profit,  compare 


A  SUMMARY  97 

their  lives  with  that  of  Job.  My  friend,  are  you  one 
of  them?  I  cannot  hear  your  answer  —  but  if  it  be 
"yes,"  then  there  is  a  strong  sympathy  between  us, — 
that  is,  Job,  yourself  and  the  writer.  We  have  lived 
under  the  control  of  the  proud  "unreliable."  Surely  we 
have  all  made  our  mistakes!  Surely  we  should  strive 
to  correct  them. 

Job's  unsatisfactory  condition  he  sets  forth  espe- 
cially in  chapters  12,  13,  14,  16,  19,  21,  23  and  26  to 
31,  inclusive.  Don't  hastily  say  I  am  giving  you  too 
lengthy  references,  or  "I  haven't  time,"*  but  read  them 
and  refer  to  them,  more  than  once,  especially  if  you  are 
awake  to  a  desire  for  improved  thought.  And  remem- 
ber, that  during  all  this  time,  his  old  companions  were 
earnestly  endeavoring  to  "explain  things"  to  him.  But 
still  Job  remained  unsatisfied;  nor  could  his  honest  and 
kindhearted  friends  convince  him,  because,  most  clear- 
ly, he  realized  that  their  knowledge  was  not  in  advance 
of  his  own.  And  so  it  proved.  His  "suffering"  con- 
tinued. 

The  friends  spoke  from  the  standpoint  of  tradition- 
al information  (variable)  and  human  reasoning  (opin- 
ions, liable  to  differ),  while  the  younger  man,  based 
his  words  on  Spiritual  understanding  (unerring  truth). 
(See  Job  32 :  8  and  18.  Also  Chap.  33 :  4-6.  Also  Chap. 
36:  3  and  4.) 

Let  us  turn  now  with  awe  and  veneration  to  chapter 
40.  Job  here  makes  complete  and  entire  submission, 
acknowledges  his  vileness  (errors  and  iniquities),  si- 
lences his  selfish  self;  and  listens  to  Truth;  the  ever- 

*This  was  Agrippa's  excuse  to  Paul. 


98  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

coming   Christ,  which  was   "before  Abraham"    (John 
8:58),  and  "before  the  world  was."    (John  17:5.) 

Verses  7  to  14  inclusive,  show  to  Job  (and  to  us  of 
today  also),  the  utter  inability  of  man  to  save  himself 
with  or  by  his  "own  right  hand," — which  is  human  rea- 
son. 

Next  (verses  15  to  24),  this  boaster,  "human  knowl- 
edge," is  allegorically  compared  to  Behemoth. 

Following  this  comes  chapter  41,  which  is  entirely 
given  up  to  another  allegory,  namely,  a  description  of 
a  larger,  more  powerful,  more  terrible  and  more  cruel 
monster  of  the  deep.  This  "deep"  by  no  means  refers 
to  river  or  sea,  but  to  the  fathomless  ocean  of  conscious 
existence.  In  this  incomprehensible  and  boundless 
ocean,  "Wherein  are  things  creeping  innumerable,  both 
small  and  great  beasts,"  there  is  evil,  which  "plays 
therein."  (See  Ps.  104:  25-26.) 

But,  in  considering  these  things,  materiality  must 
be  set  aside  as  a  dim  candle,  and  the  towering  flame  of 
Spirituality  must  be  the  Light.  Mortal  eye  sees  it  not, 
and  mortal  ear  distinguishes  it  not,  and  yet,  this  light, 
as  Spiritually  seen,  is  brighter,  far  brighter,  than  the 
sun. 

This  is  made  plain  in  Isaiah's  vision  (6th  chapter 
of  Isaiah),  where,  by  Divine  command,  he  says,  "Hear 
ye  indeed,  but  understand  not;  and  see  ye  indeed,  but 
perceive  not."  And  the  Master  confirms  this.  (Mat. 
13:  14  and  Mark  4:  12.) 

Of  old,  Saul  of  Tarsus  was  well  provided  with  what 
is  called  "good  common  sense,"  and  also,  for  his  day,  a 
full  stock  of  "literary  perception,"  and  reason  held 
full  sway.  So!  Reason!  The  great  "unreliable!" 


A  SUMMARY  99 

But  Paul,  "called  to  be  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ 
through  the  will  of  God,"  put  aside  his  reasoning  men- 
tality except  as  it  was  subservient  to  Spirituality.  No 
longer  did  his  faith  stand  "in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in 
the  power  of  God."  This  he  taught  to  his  brethren. 
This  he  is  today  saying  to  you.  (First  Cor.  1:  19  and 
20.)  This,  in  an  advanced  condition,  here  or  in  the 
hereafter,  all  must  understand. 

Here,  my  brother,  is  our  trouble,  as  Paul  points  out 
to  us,  "The  natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the 
Spirit  (of  God),  for  they  are  foolishness  unto  him; 
neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  Spiritually 
discerned."  (1st  Cor.  2:  14.)  What  a  mine  of  instruc- 
tion is  this  second  chapter  of  First  Corinthians!  No 
mortal  is  able  to  appreciate  it  except  he  subordinate  en- 
tirely reasoning  self,  to  the  kingdom  within.  The  Spir- 
itual, must  be  above  that  which  "cometh  of  evil"  (Mat. 
5:  37). 

Regenerated  Paul,  thence  guided  by  Spirit,  often 
refers  to  unregenerated  Saul  with  his  load  of  human 
mistakes  and  iniquities.  As  examples  see  Acts  22:  19- 
20;  Romans  7:  8;  Titus  3:  3,  and  others. 

Does  it  appear  to  most  Bible  readers  of  today  that 
the  lord,  who  talked  with  the  devil,  and  was  moved  by 
him  (Job  2:  3),  is  identical  with  He  who  "answered 
Job  out  of  the  whirlwind"? 

If  so,  I  do  not  agree  with  them.  And  if  they  be- 
lieve that  the  Lord  who  formed  Adam  "out  of  dust"  is 
identical  with  Him  who  "created  man  in  His  own  im- 
age," again,  I  do  not  agree  with  them. 

And  if  they  believe  that  the  earthly  man  is  identical 


100  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

with  the  man  "after  God's  likeness/'  once  more,  I  do 
not  agree  with  them. 

Does  the  reasoning  man,  ever  really  love  God?  Who 
can  answer?  But  remember  the  "first  and  great  com- 
mandment." Was  it  addressed  to  the  reasoning  man 
who  thinks,  or  to  the  Spiritual  man,  the  "image  and 
likeness"? 

Let  me  not  be  presumptuous,  but  rather  will  I  beg 
and  entreat  my  friends  and  all  whom  I  may  influence 
in  any  degree,  that  they  may  study  the  Bible  more  and 
more,  with  an  earnest  desire  for  Spiritual  understand- 
ing; and  this  itself,  in  some  measure,  shall  be  your  re- 
ward. 

Do  not  expect  this  in  its  fullness  and  perfection,  for 
you  will  not  be  likely  to  attain  such  elevation.  Paul 
could  not  accomplish  this.  (Phil.  3:  12-13.)  But  you 
can  advance  through  sincere  and  honest  desire,  and 
willingness  to  work  earnestly.  When  you  have  ascend- 
ed the  high  and  beautiful  mountain  before  you,  from 
this  new  vista,  will  be  seen  another,  higher  and  more 
beautiful  range.  Go  on.  Turn  not  back.  Be  not  doubt- 
ful. With  Paul,  forget  those  things  "which  are  behind," 
and  work  for  the  correct  attainment  of  "those  things 
which  are  before." 

Do  not  depend  alone  on  man's  wisdom,  for  this  is 
insufficient.  Seek  and  strive  for  Spiritual  guidance. 
"Knock  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you."  But  remem- 
ber that  human  words,  are  inadequate  to  express  Spir- 
itual thoughts,  except  in  a  very  incomplete  manner.  For 
Spiritual  thoughts,  are  of  God,  from  whence  cometh, 
that  "Peace  of  God  which  passeth  understanding." 

Even  Paul,  could  only  "speak  the  wisdom  of  God 


STORY  OF  THE  DISPUTE  1'Ji 

in  a  mystery,  even  the  hidden  wisdom."     (1st  Cor.  2: 
5,  6,  7,  and  13.) 

If  you  earnestly  wish  to  understand  the  Book  of 
Job,  study  also  other  parts  of  the  Bible.  I  would  sug- 
gest that  before  reading  the  Story  of  the  Dispute  read 
carefully  the  Book  of  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah,  also 
the  38th,  39th  and  40th  Psalms.  These  have  points  of 
similarity  with  each  other,  as  well  as  with  the  Story 
of  Job. 

Let  me  quote  a  few  words:  "The  Lord  has  af- 
flicted me  in  the  day  of  his  fierce  anger.  From  above 
hath  he  sent  fire  into  my  bones  and  it  prevailed  against 
them;  He  hath  spread  a  net  for  my  feet,  He  hath  turned 
me  back;  He  hath  made  me  faint  all  the  day,  He  hath 
made  my  strength  to  fall.  For  this  I  weep  because 
the  Comforter  that  should  relieve  my  soul  is  far  from 
me."  (Lamentations,  1st  Chapter.) 

Likewise  David  said:  "Thine  arrows  stick  fast  in 
me,  and  Thy  hand  presseth  me  sore.  There  is  no  sound- 
ness in  my  flesh  because  of  Thine  anger;  neither  is  there 
any  rest  in  my  bones  because  of  my  sin.  For  mine  in- 
iquities are  gone  over  my  head;  my  wounds  stink:  and 
are  corrupt  because  of  my  foolishness.  I  am  troubled; 
I  am  bowed  down  greatly;  I  go  mourning  all  the  day 
long."  (38th  Psalm.) 

O  poor  David!  O  poor  Jeremiah!  O  poor  sons 
of  men! 

CHAPTER  3. 

Story  of  the  Dispute. 

"There  was  a  man  in  the  land  of  Uz,  whose  name 
was  Job."  This  is  the  opening  sentence  of  the  book 
of  Job.  Of  this  book  and  what  it  means  to  humanitv,  I 


103  JO£  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

propose  to  write  a  few  pages  of  concepts,  not  proclaim- 
ing the  support  of  any  authority  beyond  or  above  my 
own  ideas  of  the  book  itself;  of  the  Bible;  and  its  teach- 
ings and  methods  of  instruction  to  mortals;  of  things 
that  have  come  into  my  experience  in  a  manner  un- 
accountable to  me,  and  through  varied  occurrences  and 
observations  of  a  lifetime. 

The  land  of  Uz  (which  simply  means,  "The  Fruitful 
Land")  seems  very  indefinite  as  to  location,  and 
this  is  well,  for  its  exact  boundaries  or  history  are 
to  the  people  of  today  of  little  importance.  While  it 
would  be  interesting  to  know  something  of  the  history 
of  the  author  of  the  book  of  Job,  of  whom  the  highest 
authorities  can  go  little  farther  than  to  say  that  he 
antedated  Moses;  nevertheless,  the  great  value  of  the 
book  to  the  people  of  this  age  is  in  its  allegorical  inter- 
pretation. Viewed  in  this  light,  the  land  of  Uz,  may  be 
any  and  every  locality,  and  Job,  almost  any  and  every 
thinking  man.  Moreover,  the  date  of  the  occurrence 
of  the  drama  may  be  thirty-five  centuries  ago  or  in 
any  century  following,  or  even  preceding. 

The  story  must  have  been  fact,  or  founded  on  fact. 
Imaginative  though  poet  and  dramatist  may  be,  "Truth 
is  stranger  than  fiction."  Man  cannot  conceive  of  such 
imagery.  Its  foundation  must  have  been  on  actual 
occurrences.  It  might  be  called  a  history  of  regenera- 
tion— a  journey  out  of  the  darkness  of  Egypt;  through 
the  erratic  waters  of  the  Red  Sea;  across  the  desert  of 
human  hopes,  fierce  wars  and  experiences,  into  the  land 
of  light;  guided  by  cloud  and  pillar. 

As  illustrating  the  regeneration  and  redemption  of 
mankind,  the  Book  of  Job  takes  the  place  to  which  it  is 


STORY  OF  THE  DISPUTE  103 

justly  entitled,  as  one  of  the  grandest  sections  of  the 
Book  of  Books. 

The  whole  wonderful  account,  portrays  the  history 
of  a  proud,  prosperous,  boastful  and  worldly  man; 
rilled  with  a  sense  of  self-assertiveness  through  what 
he  considers  his  own  achievements  above  those  of  other 
mortals;  an  example  of  a  grasping,  rich  man,  who 
wanted  more  riches. 

From  all  the  account  states  of  him,  we  may  well 
believe  that  this  representative  man  was  a  personifica- 
tion of  that  pretentious  element  of  humanity  which  we 
denominate  as  will-power. 

To  the  human  concept,  the  book  of  Job  is  attract- 
ive and  fascinating,  but  the  instruction  it  imparts  to 
those  who  are  seeking  for  Spiritual  understanding,  it 
is  inexpressibly  grand. 

He  is  represented  to  have  been  wealthy,  as  wealth 
was  estimated  in  ancient  times.  "His  substance  was 
seven  thousand  sheep,  and  three  thousand  camels,  and 
five  hundred  yoke  of  oxen,  and  five  hundred  she  asses, 
and  a  very  large  household;  so  that  this  man  was  the 
greatest  of  all  the  men  of  the  east."  (Chap.  1 :3.)* 

So  he  was  great  chiefly  on  account  of  his  wealth, 
but  it  is  not  related  how  he  came  into  possession  of 
that  wealth.  Growing  rich  by  breeding  cattle  is  a  slow 
procedure,  so  that  it  seems  natural  to  presume  that 
most  of  Job's  riches  came  through  inheritance,  and 
therefore  he  may  be  considered  to  a  certain  extent,  as 
a  parallel  of  the  "spoiled  child  of  fortune."  Such  usual- 
ly, do  not  have  cares  or  responsibilities  thrust  upon 


"These  assumed  numbers  of  his  animals,  do  not  indicate  exact- 
ness, but  only  that  he  had  great  possessions. 


104  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

them  in  early  life,  and  are  not  infrequently  improved 
through  disappointments  and  trials.  In  fact,  few  men 
really  develop  into  usefulness,  unless  it  be  through  en- 
countering and  overcoming  troubles  and  trials  in  some 
form ;  and  the  more  formidable  these  trials,  the  grander 
will  be  the  victory  over  them. 

However,  Job's  reputation  was  that  of  a  good  man. 
Without  any  discernible  cause,  misfortunes  and  disas- 
ters came  upon  him  thick  and  fast;  first  through  the 
loss  of  his  property,  followed  immediately  by  the  death 
of  all  his  children.  Yet  Job  said,  "The  Lord  gave,  and 
the  Lord  hath  taken  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the 
Lord." 

"In  all  this  Job  sinned  not  nor  charged  God  fool- 
ishly." (Chap.  1,  vs.  21,  22.) 

Let  it  be  noted  that  in  the  Story  of  Job,  we  may 
find  a  clear  and  apparent  distinction  in  the  names  "God" 
and  "The  Lord."  Is  not  this  similar  to  the  clearly 
described  work  of  God  in  the  first  account  of  creation, 
and  the  reported  work  of  "the  Lord  God"  in  the  second 
and  opposite  account?  Who  shall  explain  this  variance? 

Take,  for  example,  verse  6  of  chapter  1  of  Job. 
"There  was  a  day  when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  pre- 
sent themselves  before  the  Lord  and  Satan  came  also." 
This  intruding  Satan  (not  a  Son  of  God)  is  an  entire 
stranger. 

Verse  1  of  chapter  2,  says :  "Again  there  was  a  day 
when  the  sons  of  God  came  to  present  themselves  be- 
fore the  Lord  and  Satan  came  also,  to  present  himself" 
— as  it  were,  a  little  more  bold. 

On  each  occasion  he  is  asked  by  the  Lord  (not  by 
God)  where  he  came  from. 


STORY  OF  THE  DISPUTE  105 

Note  the  answer,  twice  given.  "From  going  to  and 
fro,  in  the  earth;  and  from  walking  up  and  down  in  it." 
So!  To  and  fro!  Up  and  down! 

Where  is  "To  and  fro"?  Where  is  "Up  and  down"? 

Is  there  any  better  answer  than  Nowhere? 

"To  and  fro" — "Up  and  down" — seems  rather  ob- 
scure and  ambiguous,  but  is  probably  as  nearly  correct 
as  any  statement  ever  made  by  the  adversary.  A  wan- 
dering illusion — an  unreal  and  uncreated  ghost,  the 
opposite  of  good,  which  is  God.  To  realize  God  or 
good,  is  to  unrealize  evil,  for  clearly,  if  God  is  real,  must 
not  his  opposite  be  unreal? 

This  Satan  (the  adversary)  has  existence  only  in 
human  consciousness. 

"So  Satan  went  forth  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord" — (by  no  means  from  the  presence  of  God)  for  in 
Good  he  never  appeared.  All  the  operations  of  this  il- 
lusive adversary  are  within  human  beliefs.  "When  we 
know  the  truth,"  we  shall  cease  to  fear  this  shadow  of 
evil. 

Next,  by  permission  of  the  Lord,  Job  is  given  into 
the  hand  of  Satan  (Chap.  2:6),  and  by  him  is  smitten 
"with  sore  boils  from  the  sole  of  his  foot  unto  his 
crown." 

Human  reason  and  human  sense  of  justice  will  at 
once  cry  out,  why?  But  human  reason  can  give  no 
answer,  though  it  tries  to,  for  we  see  no  justice  in 
what  we  regard  as  punishment,  except  it  be  for  the 
committing  of  an  offence;  and  in  Job's  case  there  seems 
to  have  been  no  offence. 

A  sense  of  resentment  causes  Job's  wife  to  exclaim, 
as  she  sees  him  in  his  suffering  and  thinks  of  their  dis- 


106  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

appointments  and  misery,  "Dost  thou  still  retain  thine 
integrity?  Curse  God,  and  die." 

"But  he  said  unto  her,  Thou  speakest  as  one  of  the 
foolish  women  speaketh.  What?  Shall  we  receive  good 
at  the  hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil?  In 
all  this  did  not  Job  sin  with  his  lips."  (Chap.  2 :  10.) 

Evidently,  Job  considered  God  the  giver  of  good  and 
evil.  (Literally  impossible.) 

But  let  us  not  forget  that  the  story  is,  that  Satan — 
(not  God),  brought  these  trials  and  afflictions. 

In  the  first  chapter  of  Genesis,  the  Creator  is  spoken 
of  as  God. 

In  the  second  and  third  chapters,  there  is  another 
account  of  another  creation  by  another  Creator,  styled 
"The  Lord  God"!  So! 

Is  it  not  easy  to  discern  a  distinct  parallel,  in  the 
first  and  second  chapters  of  Job,  in  the  use  of  the  ex- 
pressions "God"  and  "the  Lord"?  It  is  made  plain  that 
Job,  before  his  regeneration,  considered  God  as  the 
bestower  of  Good  and  Evil. 

The  regenerated  Job  says:  "I  have  heard  of  Thee 
by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  now  mine  eye  seeth 
Thee,  wherefore  I  abhor  myself  and  repent"  (42:  5 
and  6). 

A  distinct  turning  from  his  selfish  self  (human)  to 
his  Spiritual  self,  which  is  God-like. 

Now,  it  will  be  remembered,  Job's  three  neighbors 
(friends)  appear  upon  the  scene,  Eliphaz,  Bildad  and 
Zophar.  They  are  each  and  all  represented  to  be  older 
than  Job,-  and  on  that  account  consider  themselves  su- 
perior to  him  in  wisdom  and  understanding,  but  this 
assumption  is  not  acknowledged  by  Job.  Each  one 


STORY  OF  THE  DISPUTE  107 

points  out  the  reason  of  the  troubles  and  afflictions 
that  have  come  upon  him,  and  all  agree  that  these 
proved  him  guilty  of  great  wickedness.  Also  each  one 
prescribes  a  course  for  him  to  follow,  declaring  that 
the  result  of  adopting  their  individual  advice,  will  cer- 
tainly meet  the  requirements  of  his  condition. 

Eliphaz  regards  Job  as  foolish,  shortsighted,  silly, 
etc.,  and  gives  his  advice. 

Bildad  tells  Job  he  is  not  prayerful  enough,  nor 
"pure  and  upright";  experience  shows  this.  He  may, 
by  and  by,  do  better,  etc.,  and  gives  his  advice. 

Zophar  accuses  Job  of  talking  and  lying  and  mock- 
ing, for  which  he  deserves  more  punishment,  and  then 
offers  his  advice.  How  eminently  human! 

How  anxious  we  all  are  that  everybody  else  should 
do  what  we  may  happen  to  think  is  correct,  and  how 
extremely  generous  we  are  with  our  advice ! 

Job  indignantly  denies  their  accusations  and  scorns 
their  claims  of  superiority.  Instead  of  comforting,  they 
only  mock  him.  "Let  them  go  to  the  beasts,  the  fowls 
of  the  air,  or  to  the  earth,  and  the  fishes  of  the  sea  for 
instruction."  (See  chapters  12  and  13.)* 

These  chapters  indicate  Job's  sentiments  towards 
his  critical  and  somewhat  presumptuous  friends,  whom 
he  calls  "forgers  of  lies,"  and  "physicians  of  no  value," 
and  says,  "Hold  your  peace  and  it  should  be  your^vis- 

*Let  it  not  be  overlooked  that  there  is  no  direct  evidence  of  Job's 
high  character  except  his  own.  When  a  man  is  accused  of  moral  de- 
linquency, he  will  usually  deny  it.  Job's  experienced  friends  did  not 
have  entire  confidence  in  him.  Perhaps  from  knowing  their  own  weak- 
ness, they  distrusted  Job.  "The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things  and 
desperately  wicked:  who  can  know  it?"  (Jer.  17:9.) 

And  this  to  all:  "Do  we  not  already  know  more  of  this  heart  than 
we  are  willing  to  have  our  neighbor  see?"  From  my  own  experience  I 
question  Job's  unreserved  candor!  How  natural  and  human  is  the 
desire  to  appear  better  than  we  really  are! 


108  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

dom."  Job's  claim  of  reverence  toward  God  is  bound- 
less, but  he  desires  to  reason  with  Him,  showing  con- 
currence with  his  friends  in  a  conception  of  God  as 
material, — not  as  Spiritual.  At  the  beginning  of  Chap- 
ter 13  he  severely  rebukes  them. 

I  have  little  to  say  of  the  three  friends,  nor  of  their 
many  true  and  interesting  sayings.  To  review  these 
would  involve  more  detail  than  is  here  necessary.  The 
friends  seem  to  represent  our  dear  old  acquaintances, 
Tradition,  Dogma  and  Doctrine.  Nevertheless,  let  us 
note  a  few  items.  Kindness  seems  to  have  drawn  them 
to  their  suffering  friend,  as  indicated  in  the  last  three 
verses  of  the  second  chapter.  Sympathy  and  considera- 
tion kept  them  silent  for  days  until  Job  opened  the 
debate  by  giving  voice  to  his  own  shattered  and  troubled 
thoughts.  Pain  and  anguish  were  evident  in  a  wasted 
body,  a  despairing  expression,  a  feeble  voice,  and  a 
vexed,  tortured  and  harassed  mind.  This  takes  up 
chapter  three  with  words  of  impassioned  grief  and  sor- 
row. 

Eliphaz,  probably  the  eldest,  was  the  first  of  the 
friends  to  reply  and  he  begins  by  asking  permission 
to  speak.  He  quietly  reminds  Job  of  his  former  deeds 
of  kindness  toward  those  in  need  and  then  gently  re- 
proves him  for  being  disheartened  when  he  finds  him- 
self in  need.  Then  he  suggests  to  Job  that  he  is  suf- 
fering for  his  sins,  and  says,  "Who  ever  perished  being 
innocent?  They  that  plow  iniquity,  and  sow  wicked- 
ness, reap  the  same."  This  is  soon  followed  by  an  ac- 
count of  a  dream,  with  fear  and  instruction,  which  evi- 
dently had  made  a  great  impression  on  the  speaker. 
"Shall  mortal  man  be  more  just  than  God?  Shall  a 


STORY  OF  THE  DISPUTE  109 

man  be  more  pure  than  his  Maker?  *  *  *  His  angels 
He  charged  with  folly;  how  much  less  (trust)  in  them 
that  dwell  in  houses  of  clay."  Eliphaz  plainly  has  lit- 
tle confidence  in  Job  and  therefore  proceeds  to  instruct 
him,  according  to  his  own  higher  knowledge.  He  also 
promises  and  predicts  what  wondrous  advantages  will 
result  from  following  his  advice. 

In  the  beginning  of  Job's  reply  he  almost  ignores 
Eliphaz  and  his  words.  He  refers  to  his  suffering, 
weakness  and  need,  and  says,  "O  that  I  might  have  my 
request  *  *  *  *  even  that  it  would  please  God  to  destroy 
me!"  He  complains  that  his  brethren  have  dealt  de- 
ceitfully and  that  they  give  him  neither  aid  nor  com- 
fort, and  says  further:  "How  forcible  are  right  words! 
But  what  doth  your  arguings  *  *  *  *  which  are  as  wind?" 
(Job  6:  25  and  26.) 

So  Job  gives  but  small  heed  to  the  words  of  Eliphaz, 
who  does  not  again  speak  until  the  fifteenth  chapter, 
when  he  lectures  him  severely,  perhaps  annoyed  by  Job's 
inattention,  accuses  him  of  wild  talking,  of  iniquity  and 
falsity — belittles  and  scoffs  at  his  display  of  knowledge 
and  reminds  him  that  "with  us,  are  t>oth  the  grey  head- 
ed and  very  aged  men,  much  older  than  thy  father." 

Again  in  the  twenty-second  chapter  Eliphaz,  still 
nettled  and  chagrined,  accuses  Job  of  wickedness  and 
perversity  toward  God  and  man,  saying:  "Thou  hast 
taken  a  pledge  from  thy  brother  for  nothing;  and 
stripped  even  the  naked  of  their  clothing.  Thou  hast 
not  given  water  to  the  weary,  nor  bread  to  the  hungry. 
Thou  hast  sent  widows  away  empty  and  the  arms  of 
the  fatherless  have  been  broken." 

Much  more  he  says  of  Job's  shortcomings  and  in 


110  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

many  words  does  he  indicate  the  fretful  displeasure  of 
an  old  man  who  has  settled  it  in  himself,  that  wisdom  is 
measured  by  age.  He  says  in  chapter  15,  17  to  19,  "I 
will  show  thee,  hear  me;  and  that  which  I  have  seen  I 
will  declare;  which  wise  men  have  told  from  their 
fathers,  and  have  not  hid  it ;  unto  whom  alone  the  earth 
was  given,  and  no  stranger  passed  among  them." 

Bildad  reminds  Job  of  the  wickedness  of  his  children 
who  had  been  "cast  away  for  their  transgressions/'  and 
also  says:  "If  thou  wert  pure  and  upright,  surely  now 
He  would  awake  for  thee/'  etc.,  (evidently  agreeing 
with  Eliphaz) ;  and  later  complains  to  Job,  "Where- 
fore are  we  counted  as  beasts,  and  reputed  vile  in  your 
sight?" 

Zophar  speaks  but  twice,  but  he  is,  if  possible,  still 
more  severe  than  the  friends  who  preceded  him.  Note 
his  first  speech.  He  accuses  Job  almost  at  the  beginning 
of  talking  and  lying,  but  with  a  degree  of  kindness 
points  out  a  remedy  for  his  troubles  (see  chapter  eleven). 
Chapter  twenty  embodies  his  last  speech,  and  this  is 
the  climax  of  reproachful  railing:— 

"His  children  shall  seek  to  please  the  poor  and  his 
hands  shall  restore  their  goods.  His  bones  are  full  of 
the  sin  of  his  youth  which  shall  lie  down  with  him 
in  the  dust.  Though  wickedness  be  sweet  in  his  mouth, 
though  he  hide  it  under  his  tongue;  though  he  spare  it, 
and  forsake  it  not;  but  keep  it  still  within  his  mouth: 
yet  his  meat  in  his  bowels  is  turned,  it  is  the  gall  of  asps 
within  him.  He  hath  swallowed  down  riches,  and  he 
shall  vomit  them  up  again;  God  shall  cast  them  out  of 
his  belly.  He  shall  suck  the  poison  of  asps;  the  viper's 
tongue  shall  slay  him." 


STORY  OF  THE  DISPUTE  111 

Job's  opening  words  to  these  three  men  were  to 
lament  the  day  of  his  birth,  to  deplore  his  condition, 
to  wonder  why  he  was  given  life,  and  to  give  expression 
to  fear;  which  is  the  opposite  of  trust  in  God! 

"Wherefore  is  light  given  to  him  that  is  in  misery, 
and  life  unto  the  bitter  in  soul;  which  long  for  death, 
but  it  cometh  not;  and  dig  for  it  more  than  for  hid 
treasures ;  which  rejoice  exceedingly,  and  are  glad  when 
they  can  find  the  grave?"  (Chap.  3:  20-22.) 

"The  thing  which  I  greatly  feared  is  come  upon  me." 
(Chap.  3:25.) 

It  is  natural  for  us  who  are  told  so  little  of  Job's 
inner  life,  to  wonder  about  this  thing  so  "greatly 
feared."  Why,  it  may  be  asked,  was  this  man  dis- 
trustful? What  caused  him  to  have  forebodings  of 
suffering? 

From  the  standpoint  of  my  own  experience,  I  see 
but  one  answer  which  may  or  may  not  be  correct.  His 
life  had  been  unsatisfactory,  because  of  his  own  selfish- 
ness and  dissimulation.  He  was  not  really  what  he 
pretended  to  be,  and  this  (even  though  he  did  not  fully 
comprehend  it)  he  could  not  keep  out  of  his  own  inner 
consciousness.  Selfishness,  outweighed  justice.  His 
true  sense  of  the  Golden  Rule,  would  not  be  quieted  and 
refused  to  be  bribed.  Hence  came  his  fear.  Hence 
came  his  suffering  which  he  did  not  want,  but  greatly 
needed.  And  so  he  journeyed  on  through  darkness  until 
Elihu  pointed  out  the  way  of  light,  and  finally,  the 
voice  of  the  ever-present  Christ,  transformed  the  man. 
And  Job's  is  by  no  means  an  isolated  case. 


112  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

CHAPTER  4. 
Fear. 

Is  there  a  devil  except  it  be  Fear? 

Who  created  him? 

Where  does  he  live? 

What  is  his  occupation? 

Is  he  in  harmony  with  God? 

Has  he,  or  can  he  have  any  real  existence?  His 
own  account  of  himself  is  that  he  came  "from  going  to 
and  fro  in  the  earth  and  from  walking  up  and  down  in 
it,"  a  decidedly  uncertain  habitation,  as  delusive  as  what 
is  named  Hell  when  considered  as  a  locality. 

The  adversary  has  no  resting  place,  except  it  be  in 
human  thought. 

Fear,  overcame  this  sufferer;  Fear,  the  opposite 
of  faith,  of  trust;  Fear,  the  child  of  evil.  What  is 
fear?  Is  it  an  entity  or  a  ghost?  Does  anyone  be- 
lieve that  it  has  existence  in  the  first  consciousness  of 
an  infant?  If  not,  it  must  be  of  human  growth.  Is  it  an 
emotion,  and  if  so,  how  can  we  overcome  it?  How, 
but  by  faith  and  trust  in  God?  Paul  writes,  "Perfect 
love  casteth  out  fear."  In  other  words,  only  by  perfect 
obedience  to  what  the  Saviour  declared  to  be  the  first 
and  great  commandment,  can  man  overcome  this  illusive 
tool  of  the  devil — fear!  Fear  leads  to  supineness  and 
discouragement,  two  other  ensnaring  influences  of  the 
adversary. 

Continuing,  Job  said,  "I  was  not  in  safety,  neither 
had  I  rest,  neither  was  I  quiet;  yet  trouble  came."  Does 
not  chastening  and  purifying  discipline,  often  follow 
(even  in  our  day)  just  such  conditions  of  human  experi- 
ence? 


FEAR  113 

Job's  fear,  was  far  in  excess  of  his  faith.  Is  not 
this  the  case  with  thousands  today?  "FEAR  NOT" 
is  the  admonition  of  the  Christ  today !  Trust ! — Again, 
trust !  They  who  really  trust  in  God,  cannot  fear. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  discussion  between  Job  on 
the  one  side,  and  Eliphaz,  Bildad  and  Zophar  on  the 
other,  the  friends*  proceed  gently  at  first,  and  attempt 
to  show  that  Job's  suffering,  is  a  proof  of  his  wicked- 
ness. This,  Job  denies,  and  each  of  the  three  friends 
reaffirm,  with  the  result  that  mildly  differing  opinions 
are  succeeded  by  angry  controversy.  This  takes  up 
most  of  the  book,  continuing  to  the  thirty-second  chap- 
ter. The  friends  argue  and  reason  with  Job,  and  are 
of  course,  actuated  by  kind  motives.  Nevertheless, 
their  individual  or  combined  eloquence  is  powerless  to 
convince  Job,  or  to  satisfy  his  desire  for  a  better  knowl- 
edge of  God,  and  his  dealings  with  men.  Their  failure 
is  total  and  unmistakable.  This  Job  points  out  in  his 
closing  speech,  which  begins  with  Chapter  twenty-six, 
and  is  unequalled  by  anything  that  preceded  it  in  the 
controversy.  "So  these  three  men  ceased  to  answer 
Job,  because  he  was  righteous  in  his  own  eyes." 

Were  they  not  under  the  same  condition  of  self- 
righteousness  as  that  with  which  they  charged  their 
friend?  Read  what  Paul  says  to  just  such  men: 

"Thou  art  inexcusable,  O  man,  whosoever  thou  art 
that  judgest;  for  wherein  thou  judgest  another,  thou 


*It  may  be  useful  to  give  here  the  meanings  of  the  names  of  five 
principal  characters: 

Job:  the  much  afflicted. 
Bliphaz:   God  of  Gold:   Riches. 
Bildad:  Son  of  contention:  contender. 
Zophar:  chatterer. 
Elihu:  Whose  God  is  He. 


—5— 


114  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

condemnest  thyself;  for  thou  that  judgest,  doest  the 
same  things."     (Rom.  2:  1.) 

True  in  Job's  time,  in  the  days  of  Paul,  and  equally 
so  in  the  present  age.  Tradition,  Dogma  and  Doctrine, 
full  of  self-righteousness,  feel  themselves  called  upon  to 
criticize  and  condemn  that  which  is  in  advance  over 
their  dogmatic  opinions.  When  we  think. of  the  doc- 
trine of  a  few  to  be  saved  and  all  the  rest  to  be  damned, 
what  a  travesty  is  this,  upon  the  justice  of  an  all-wise 
and  loving  Father ! 

Many  wise  and  true  maxims  and  sayings,  are  pro- 
nounced by  the  three  friends,  yet  certainly  not  sur- 
passing and  in  fact  not  equalling  those  of  the  greater 
man  whom  they  sought  to  discipline.  To  all  appear- 
ance, Job  is,  so  far,  master  of  the  situation. 

The  closing  words  of  Job  form  the  climactic  speech 
of  the  whole  controversy.  It  is  the  very  embodiment  of 
reasoning  power  and  a  grand  lesson  in  eloquence,  to 
the  young  man  who  would  aspire  to  be  an  orator.  It 
begins  with  the  26th  and  ends  with  31st  chapter,  and 
is  full  of  useful  and  instructive  texts.  In  chapter  29 
Job  regretfully  and  longingly  reviews  his  past,  when 
he  was  "the  greatest  of  all  the  men  of  the  east,"  and  in 
memory  glorifies  himself  without  measure:  "I  put  on 
the  robes  of  righteousness  and  judgment."  (Chap.  29: 
14.)  "Young  men  and  old  men,  princes  and  nobles" 
stood  in  awe  of  this  "the  greatest  of  all  the  men  of  the 
East." 

The  next  chapter  contrasts  his  present,  with  his  for- 
mer condition.  Formerly  he  despised  those  whom  he 
thought  beneath  him  in  the  social  scale,  while  now  con- 
ditions are  reversed.  Even  the  children  of  those  he  dis- 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  115 

dained,  "spared  not  to  spit  in  his  face" !  "When  I  looked 
for  good,  then  evil  came  unto  me;  and  when  I  waited  for 
light,  there  came  darkness.  I  went  mourning  without 
the  sun;  I  stood  up  and  I  cried  in  the  congregation. 
I  am  a  brother  to  dragons  and  a  companion  to  owls; 
my  skin  is  black  upon  me,  and  my  bones  are  burned 
with  heat."  (30:  vs.  26,  28,  29  and  30.) 

Read  again  this  30th  chapter  and  you  can  see  from 
it  Job's  conception  of  God  and  his  attitude  toward  him ; 
in  awe  of  his  power,  but  distrusting  his  justice  or  wis- 
dom; uncertain  and  unsatisfied — yet  with  a  desire  for 
improvement.  This  fervent  desire  is  the  "blade"  from 
which  follows  "the  ear,  after  that,  the  full  corn  in  the 


ear." 


It  is  the  "grain  of  mustard  seed."  Right  desire,  is 
man's  first  prayer,  and  its  earnestness  is  brought  out 
as  he  realizes  his  need.  And  so,  through  his  tribula- 
tion, this  sufferer  was  better  able  than  his  friends  to 
understand  that  which  was  about  to  be  unfolded  to 
them.  But  the  "words  of  Job  are  ended"  and  the  "three 
men  ceased  to  answer."  All  were  unconsciously  waiting 
for  truth.  Truth  indeed  came. 

CHAPTER  5. 
Elihu,  the  Forerunner. 

We  turn  a  leaf  and  a  new  character  enters  the  scene. 
This  is  Elihu,  a  young  man,  a  boy, — who  had  been  an 
interested  listener  to  the  discussion  between  Job  and 
the  three  older  men,  but  too  modest  to  speak  until 
they  had  finished.  This  sentiment,  Elihu  carefully  and 
in  a  very  modest  manner,  first  explains  to  his  listeners, 
and  then  grows  more  firm  as  he  proceeds  with  his 


116  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

words,  which  finally  embody  one  of  the  most  instructive 
speeches  that  ever  has  been  heard  or  written  in  any 
age ;  because,  it  is  dictated  by  Spirit.  The  thirty-second 
chapter  of  the  book  consists  of  the  prelude  to  this 
speech. 

Elihu's  youth  is  indicated  by  the  description  "the 
son  of  Barachel  the  Buzite,  of  the  kindred  of  Ram." 
His  individuality  was  not  sufficiently  developed  to  en- 
title him  to  be  called  a  Buzite,  but  only  the  "son  of  the 
Buzite."  Looking  a  little  farther  it  would  be  found 
that  the  name  Barachel  means  Blessed  of  God,  also  the 
name  "Ram"  means  High.  Have  these  names,  and  their 
meanings,  significance? 

Of  the  five  human  characters  mentioned  in  the  Book 
of  Job,  this  one  is  immeasurably  the  grandest,  for  he  is 
the  chosen  one  to  bear  witness  to  the  Light.  Unto  Job 
and  his  friends  he  was  that  "Elias,"  which  "truly  shall 
first  come."  (See  Matt.  11:10  and  14,  also  Mark^9:12.) 
Note  the  similarity  of  the  names  Elihu  and  Elias.  Eli- 
hu!  Elias!  First  comers!* 

It  should  be  plain  and  clear  to  the  careful  man  who 
is  really  seeking  for  truth,  that  among  all  the  great  in- 
structors whose  names  appear  in  the  Old  Testament, 
there  is  none  greater  than  this  Spiritually  inspired 
young  man — Elihu; — Surely,  the  messenger  from  on 
high! 

What  a  contrast  when  this  young  man  (a  beardless 
boy),  assumed  to  speak,  in  the  presence  of  the  four 
mature  and  experienced  men  who  had  preceded  him, 
and  to  express  thoughts  which  were  so  entirely  at  va- 


*The  ancient  Bible  names  which  begin  with  the  letters  "Eli"  all 
have  reference  to  "God"  or  "the  Most  High." 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  117 

riance  with  their  settled  opinions;  sentiments  which 
were  new  to  them  and  which  they  were  unable  to  com- 
prehend !  No  wonder  indeed  —  "They  were  amazed, 
they  answered  no  more;  they  left  off  speaking;  they 
stood  still  and  answered  no  more."  (Chap.  32:  15-16.) 

And  why?  Or  rather,  indeed,  when  the  situation  is 
really  understood,  how  could  it  have  been  otherwise? 
There  must  have  been  a  lifting  up  of  grey  heads  and 
whitened  beards,  a  wrinkling  of  aged  foreheads  and  a 
wide  opening  of  dim,  but  inquiring  eyes,  which  were 
aimed  severely  at  the  "boy,"  as  they  undoubtedly  re- 
garded him.  They  could  not  at  first,  comprehend  that 
they  themselves  were  "in  the  oldness  of  the  letter," 
while  the  younger  man  was  "in  newness  of  Spirit." 
(Rom.  7:6.)  But  this  they  were  ultimately  made  to 
understand. 

From  beginning  to  end  the  speech  of  Elihu,  is  an 
exemplification  of  that  true  Spiritual  discernment, 
which  is  called  inspiration.  This  he  realizes  and  an- 
nounces when  he  says  at  the  eighth  verse  of  chapter 
thirty-two,  "There  is  a  Spirit  in  man:  and  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  Almighty,  giveth  them  understanding. 
Great  men  are  not  always  wise;  neither  do  the  aged 
understand  judgment." 

Does  not  this  clearly  mean  that  neither  natural 
talent,  education  nor  worldly  experience  bring  to  men 
real  capacity  to  discern  Spiritually?  Such  knowledge 
is  "hidden  from  the  wise  and  prudent  and  revealed  unto 
babes." 

Of  this  Jesus  said,  "Even  so,  Father;  for  so  it  seemed 
good  in  Thy  sight.  *  *  *  No  man  knoweth  *  *  *  the 
Father,  save  the  Son,  and  he  to  whomsoever  the  Son 


118  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

(the  ever  present  Christ)  will  reveal  Him."  The  Mas- 
ter's disciples  were  not  chosen  from  the  (humanly) 
"wise  and  prudent."  But  he  "opened  the  understand- 
ing" of  the  plain  and  simple-minded  fishermen,  while 
to  the  "wise  and  prudent"  the  revelation  of  Spiritual 
understanding  remained  hid. 

The  "wisdom  of  this  world"  blinded  the  eyes  and 
stopped  the  ears  of  Scribe  and  Pharisee. 

So  was  it  with  Job  and  the  friends,  for  they  reasoned 
and  argued  chiefly,  if  not  entirely,  from  the  human 
standpoint,  without  realizing  that  reason  alone,  ("Thine 
own  right  hand")  cannot  give  true  wisdom.  The  friends 
thought  themselves  collectively  and  individually,  to  be 
comprehensive  teachers,  like  the  Pharisees  of  old,  while 
Job  believed  himself  to  be  the  superior  of  them  all.  And 
at  last  what  gained  they  as  a  result  of  their  long  con- 
troversy ?  This  only,  that  "The  words  of  Job  are  ended," 
and  "these  three  men  ceased  to  answer."  All  sat  silent. 
Reason  had  tired  itself,  as  it  has  always  done  and  always 
will  do,  in  such  disputations,  because  it  is  based  only  on 
human  opinions,  which  are  subject  to  change  and  are 
therefore  unreliable.  Human  reason,  which  prides  it- 
self today  on  its  literary  perception  and  intelligent  un- 
derstanding, is  incapable  of  discerning  that  which  is 
given  to  man  through  revelation.  The  Bible  is  the  one 
grand  exemplification  of  this  fact.  In  both  the  old 
and  new  testaments  the  preponderance  of  revelation 
over  reason  is  repeatedly  affirmed  and  made  clear.  The 
Master  illustrated  and  taught  it.  John  and  Paul 
built  upon  this  rock  of  Spiritual  understanding.  True 
in  their  day;  true  in  the  days  of  Job;  eternally  true. 
In  the  present  age,  Spiritual  Truth  is  again  asserting 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  119 

and  proving  its  power,  while  earthly  reasoners,  like  Job's 
three  friends,  are  "amazed"  and  "stand  in  awe"  of  clear- 
er light !  "Eyes  have  they  but  they  see  not.  Ears  have 
they  but  they  hear  not." 

So  Job's  condition  of  suffering  continued.  He  was 
not  relieved  either  of  his  physical  suffering,  or  of  his 
mental  anguish,  by  the  intended  and  well  meant  kind- 
ness of  his  friends,  neither  is  there  anything,  so  far,  to 
indicate  that  his  understanding  of  God's  dealings  with 
men,  which  he  so  much  wished  for,  had  made  any 
progress.  He  remained  in  hopeless  despondency  and  ut- 
ter despair. 

But  "man's  extremity  is  God's  opportunity."  A 
brighter  day  was  soon  to  dawn  on  this  example  of  suf- 
fering mortality.  Unto  Job,  this  "young  man"  was  as 
the  morning  star  which  portends  the  coming  light  of 
better  understanding,  the  illumination  of  human  con- 
sciousness. Now  began  he  to  see  within  himself,  the 
real  man,  or  Spiritual  self,  whose  existence  he  had  not 
even  suspected.  What  an  awakening! 

Elihu  has  been  referred  to  as  a  forerunner.  Such 
he  was  to  Job  certainly,  and  to  the  friends  possibly,  even 
as  John  the  Baptist  was  witness  to  the  coming  of  the 
Christ  in  the  person  of  Jesus.  Of  John,  the  Master  said : 
"This  is  he  of  whom  it  is  written,  "Behold  I  send  my 
messenger  before  thy  face,  which  shall  prepare  thy 
way  before  thee.' '  And  again,  "He  was  a  burning  and 
a  shining  light."  And  more  He  said.  (See  Matt.  11: 
7-15,  also  John  5:  32-35.) 

So  came  Elihu  to  Job.  The  parallel  is  complete. 
Both  these  forerunners  spake  from  and  through  Spiritu- 
al understanding.  How  could  it  be  otherwise?  Both 


120  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

were  in  the  human  sense,  unlearned  and  inexperienced, 
but  both  brought  "knowledge  from  afar" — Aye!  from 
the  boundless  and  soundless  Sea  of  Spirituality. 

John  the  Baptist,  "strong  in  Spirit",  was  in  the  des- 
erts nearly  all  his  days,  that  is,  he  was  (humanly  speak- 
ing), an  uneducated  and  unrefined  dweller  in  the  wilds  of 
nature,  a  rough  diamond,  but  of  "Purest  ray  serene." 

There  was  only  perfect  harmony  between  the  Master 
and  John;  only  perfect  harmony  between  the  language 
of  Elihu,  and  the  "answer  out  of  the  whirlwind." 

Let  us  quote  from  Luke :  Of  John  he  says,  "And  the 
child  grew,  and  waxed  strong  in  Spirit,  and  was  in  the 
deserts  till  the  day  of  his  shewing  unto  Israel."  (Luke 
1:  80.) 

Of  the  Master  he  says:  "And  the  child  grew,  and 
waxed  strong  in  Spirit,  filled  with  wisdom,  and  the 
grace  of  God  was  upon  him."  (Luke  2:40.) 

Man  in  his  earthly  condition  (that  is,  not  yet  trans- 
formed and  controlled  by  Spirit),  has  distinctly  within 
himself  a  material  and  a  Spiritual  element,  which  are 
manifestly  opposed  to  each  other.  So  it  has  been  in  the 
remotest  past.  Paul  says,  "For  the  flesh  lusteth  against 
the  Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  against  the  flesh;  and  these 
are  contrary  the  one  to  the  other."  And  this  opposi- 
tion will  continue  until  the  former  yields  to  the  latter. 
It  is  a  warfare  between  good  and  evil.  Evil  will  fight  in 
darkness,  from  behind  trees  and  rocks,  and  will  use 
whatever  weapons  it  can  find.  Evil,  is  the  "carnal 
mind"  which  is  "enmity  against  God,  for  it  is  not  sub- 
ject to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be."  (Rom. 
8:  7),  but  this  carnal  mind,  had  been  Job's  master 
from  his  youth,  though  he  knew  it  not!  Aye!  and  so 
with  thousands  of  us ! 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  121 

In  the  coming  pages  of  this  book  something  more 
will  appear  on  the  subject  of  these  opposing  elements 
that  struggle  within  man  for  control. 

But  let  us  give  a  little  more  attention  to  what  is  de- 
clared by  this  younger  man,  who  speaks  first  to  the 
friends  and  says  of  Job,  "Now  he  hath  not  directed  his 
words  against  me;  neither  will  I  answer  him  with  your 
speeches"  (reasoning).* 

The  plain  meaning  of  this  beginning  is  that  the 
knowledge,  through  and  by  which  Elihu  would  speak, 
did  not  come  from  any  earthly  school  of  instruction, 
neither  from  human  experience,  for  he  was' young  and 
his  opportunities  of  this  kind  were  far  inferior  to  those 
of  his  listeners.  And  yet  he  was  able  to  speak  with  an 
understanding  so  far  in  advance  of  theirs,  that  they 
made  no  attempt  to  reply  but  were  "amazed,"  and  dumb 
with  astonishment. 

Their  conception  was  of  the  immense  distance  be- 
tween God  and  man,  while  the  speech  of  Elihu  is  close- 
ly in  harmony  with  the  saying  "The  Kingdom  of  Heav- 
en is  at  hand." 

Let  us  for  awhile  follow  this  speech  as  to  its  mean- 
ing, not  fully  by  the  letter,  but  by  prominent  and  sug- 
gestive points,  as  he  speaks  to  the  four  old  reasoners. 

"Years  should  teach  wisdom,  but  there  is  a  Spirit 
in  man  and  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  them 
understanding.  Great  men  are  not  always  wise;  neither 
do  the  aged  understand  judgment." 


*  Confucius  was  one  of  the  greatest  reasoners  of  whom  we  have 
any  account,  but  what  has  the  "Wisdom  of  Confucius"  done  for  the 
Chinese  People?  This:  It  has  made  them  worshipers  of  reasoning 
ideas  represented  by  idols;  manlike  gods.  Compared  to  Spirit, — rea- 
son is  as  a  cipher. 


122  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

"I  said  therefore  'Hearken  to  me'  (Matt.  1 1 :  25 ;  Luke 
10:21);  I  gave  ear  to  your  reasonings,  but  none  of  you 
convinced  Job  or  answered  his  words." 

"He  hath  not  talked  to  me,  nor  will  I  reason  with 
him,  as  you  have  endeavored  to  do."  (Job  32:14.) 

From  this  time  on,  reasoning  disappears  from  the 
Book  of  Job!  The  reasoners  are  dumb  with  aston- 
ishment and  have  not  another  word  to  say.  From  this 
time  on,  Spiritual  edict  takes  the  place  of  argument. 
Elihu's  "voice  in  the  wilderness"  is  followed  by  the 
voice  of  the  "one  having  authority."  The  Christ.  (Matt. 
7:29.)  The  "I  am."  (Ex.  3:  14;  John  8:  58.) 

Reason  "answered  no  more."  It  is  referred  to  once 
as  "Behemoth"  and  once  as  "thine  own  right  hand." 
The  old  man  "with  his  deeds,"  is  being  put  off  and  the 
"new  man"  is  come  to  replace  the  old. 

"I  am  full;  the  Spirit  within  me  constraineth  me, 
I  am  ready  to  burst  as  wine  in  bottles,  I  will  speak, 
that  I  may  be  refreshed,  I  will  open  my  lips,  let  me  not 
accept  any  man's  person.  I  know  not  to  give  flattering 
titles;  in  so  doing  my  maker  would  soon  take  me  away." 

"Wherefore  Job  hearken.  My  tongue  hath  spoken ; 
my  lips  shall  utter  knowledge  clearly.  The  Spirit  of 
God  hath  made  me.  Behold  I  am  in  God's  stead.  I 
also  am  formed  of  clay."  (A  Spiritually-inspired  man.) 
Lips;  Tongue;  directed  by  Spirit — not  by  Brain!  Spir- 
itual, not  material! 

"Behold,  I  shall  not  make  thee  afraid,  nor  shall  my 
hand  be  heavy  upon  thee."  (Kindness  with  firmness.) 

"I  have  heard  thy  words  saying,  I  am  clean  without 
transgression,  I  am  innocent;  neither  is  there  iniquity 
in  me.  Behold,  He  (God),  findeth  occasions  against  me; 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  123 

He  counteth  me  for  his  enemy;  He  putteth  my  feet  in 
the  stocks ;  He  marks  all  my  paths." 

"Behold,  in  this  thou  are  not  just;  I  will  answer  thee. 
God  is  greater  than  man.  Why  dost  thou  strive  against 
Him?"  (John  6:63.)  (Why  thrust  reason  against 
Spirit?) 

"God  speaketh  once,  yea  twice,  yet  man  perceiveth 
it  not.  In  a  vision  of  the  night,  then  He  openeth  the 
ears  of  men,  that  he  may  withdraw  man  from  his  (mis- 
taken) purpose,  He  keepeth  back  his  soul  from  the  pit 
and  his  life  from  perishing,  he  is  chastened  also  with 
pain,  so  that  his  life  abhorreth  bread,  his  flesh  is  con- 
sumed away,  and  his  bones  stick  out. 

"Yea,  his  soul  draweth  near  unto  the  grave,  his  life 
to  the  destroyers. 

"If  there  be  a  messenger  with  him,  an  interpreter, 
to  show  unto  man  his  uprightness  (his  inner,  Spiritual 
self),  then  He  is  gracious  unto  him  and  saith,  'Deliver 
him  from  going  down  to  the  pit;  I  have  found  a  ran- 
som." (See  Psalm  37:  6.) 

"His  flesh  shall  be  fresher  than  a  child's;  he  shall 
return  to  the  days  of  his  youth,  he  shall  pray  unto  God, 
he  shall  see  His  face  (Spiritually)  with  joy. 

"He  looketh  upon  men,  and  if  any  say  'I  have  sinned, 
and  perverted  that  which  was  right  and  it  profited  me 
not/  He  will  deliver  his  soul  from  going  into  the  pit, 
he  shall  see  light. 

"Lo,  all  these  things  worketh  God  oftentimes  with 
man. 

"Mark  well,  O  Job,  hearken  unto  me;  hold  thy  peace; 
I  will  speak.  If  thou  hast  anything  to  say,  speak,  for  I 


124  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

desire  to  justify  thee.  If  not,  hold  thy  peace.  I  shall 
teach  thee." 

These  expressions  coming  from  a  mere  boy,  could 
hardly  fail  to  astonish  the  four  old  men. 

Please  go  back  a  half  dozen  paragraphs.  The  writer 
desires  especially  to  declare  his  firm  belief  in  the  ab- 
solute correctness  of  these  affirmations  of  the  Spiritu- 
ally enlightened  speaker  who  uttered  them!  Try  to 
take  no  half-way  or  doubtful  position.  If  you  or  I, 
were  able  to  control  our  thought,  so  perfectly  that  our 
reliance  on  the  Divine,  was  entire,  entire;  these  asser- 
tions could  be  proved,  by  actual  demonstration;  for 
there  is  no  limit  to  the  power  of  Spirit ! 

Here  lies  our  trouble.  Our  humanity  is  hampered 
by  the  great  unreliable.  Faith  does  not  control  us  in 
our  present  condition.  Why?  Because  "The  natural 
man  receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God."  (1st 
Cor.,  2:14.) 

Peter  walked  on  the  water!  But  how  long?  Until 
the  great  unreliable  said  "Fear."  (Mat.  14:29.) 

Let  the  reader  now  turn  to  the  thirty-fourth  chap- 
ter and  he  will  find  it  addressed  almost  entirely  to  the 
three  friends  whom  Elihu  characterizes  as  "ye  wise 
men;  ye  men  of  understanding;"  and  to  these  humanly 
experienced  old  men,  he  speaks  with  the  same  authority 
(Spiritual,  inspired  from  above),  with  which  he  had 
spoken  to  Job.  Turning  again  to  the  latter,  he  says 
(Chap.  35): 

"Thinkest  thou  this  to  be  right  that  thou  saidst, 
'My  righteousness  is  more  than  God's?' 

"For  thou  saidst,  'What  profit  shall  I  have  if  I  be 
cleansed  from  my  sin?' 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  125 

"I  will  answer  thee  and  thy  companions  with  thee. 
Look  to  the  heavens,  and  see;  and  behold  the  clouds 
which  are  higher  than  thou.  If  thou  sinnest,  what 
doest  thou  against  Him?  If  thou  be  righteous,  what 
givest  thou  Him?  Thy  wickedness  may  hurt  a  man, 
as  thou  art,  and  thy  righteousness  may  profit  the  son 
of  a  man." 

What  comparison  can  there  be  between  man  (hu- 
man); and  his  maker;  Spirit?  (Job  4:  17  to  21.) 

"But  none  saith,  'Where  is  God  my  maker,  who 
teachest  us  more  than  the  beasts  and  makest  us  wiser 
than  the  birds?"  And  so,  pretentious  and  presumptu- 
ous man  depending  more  on  human  reasoning,  than 
on  Spiritual  understanding,  more  on  the  erring  and 
false,  than  on  the  unerring  and  true;  more  on  knowl- 
edge than  on  wisdom,  is  led  into  concepts,  opinions  and 
beliefs  that  involve  us  in  mistakes  and  troubles. 

"Surely,  God  will  not  hear  vanity.  Although  thou 
sayest  thou  shalt  not  see  him,  yet  judgment  is  before 
Him,  therefore  trust  thou  in  Him.  Job  doth  open  his 
mouth  in  vain, — words  without  knowledge."*  (Job, 
35:16.) 

In  chapters  thirty-six  and  thirty-seven,  Elihu  with 
"knowledge  from  afar"  (inspiration)  gives  grand  de- 


*  Solomon  Wiseman  attended  Earth's  college — 
Read  all  the  books  on  the  shelves  of  knowledge, 
Took  "first  honors"  in  the  study  of  knowledge, 
Clothed  himself  with  the  garment  of  knowledge, 
Constructed  a  home  in  the  grove  of  knowledge, 
His  bread  was  baked  in  the  ovens  of  knowledge, 
His  pleasures  were  sought  in  the  harem  of  knowledge, 
He  builded  a  house  to  the  glory  of  knowledge, 
And  exalted  himself,  in  this  temple  of  knowledge, 
Forgot  the  true  God  in  the  worship  of  knowledge, 
Found  "no  new  thing"  as  result  of  Earth's  knowledge, 
Called  it  all  "vanity" — and  sought  Truth's  college! 

(Read  2nd  Chapter  of  Ecclesiastes.) 


126  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

scriptions  of  the  allness  and  the  absolute  oneness  of 
the  Divine  Power  which  we  call  God. 

"Hearken  unto  this,  O  Job;  stand  still,  and  con- 
sider the  wondrous  works  of  God!" 

Every  man  may  see  it;  man  may  behold  it  afar  off. 
"Touching  the  Almighty,  we  cannot  find  Him  out; 
He  is  excellent  in  power,  and  in  judgment,  and  in  plen- 
ty of  justice;  He  will  not  afflict."  Note  this:  "God 
will  not  afflict!"  Good  never  did  Evil.  Yet,  neither 
Job  nor  his  three  old  friends  could  comprehend  this. 

These  are  the  concluding  words  of  this  ancient 
forerunner.  He  has  indeed  prepared  the  way,  not 
through  the  skillful  deductions  of  learned  and  expe- 
rienced men — "the  wise  and  prudent;"  not  by  or 
through  the  channel  of  human  thought,  which,  while 
serviceable  to  man  in  so  many  ways,  is  always  liable  to 
veer  as  it  encounters  obstacles  in  its  path;  but  through 
Inspiration,  which  comes  from  a  source  indescribably 
higher  than  human  reason,  and  gives  true  understand- 
ing, in  place  of  varying  opinions.  Elihu  refers  to  God 
as  "My  maker;"  while  neither  of  the  three  old  friends 
use  that  expression. 

By  their  silence,  the  three  ffiqnds  manifestly 
acknowledge  the  superiority  of  Elihu,  even  though  he 
so  distinctly  disagreed  with  them.  Neither  of  them 
attempted  to  make  any  reply.  So  also  did  Job  recog- 
nize this  younger  man,  as  one  who  spoke  from  knowl- 
edge higher  than  his  own.  He  was  ready  to  dispute 
and  wrangle  with  his  old  companions,  but  received  the 
affirmations  of  this  new  friend,  as  something  that 
could  not  be  controverted  or  impugned,  because  of  his 
recognized  Spiritual  authority.  Nor  is  there  any  word 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  127 

of  resentment  from  either  Job  or  his  friends  when  their 
errors  are  pointed  out  to  them.  Bewildered  amaze- 
ment, changes,  to  an  acknowledgment  of  the  superior- 
ity by  revelation. 

Is  it  too  much  to  say  that  this  Spiritually  instructed 
messenger  was  the  precursor  of  the  ever-coming  Christ, 
who  was  before  Abraham,  and  is  with  man  always? 
Here  was  the  beginning  of  dawn  in  Job's  understand- 
ing, to  be  followed  by  light,  before  unseen  and  unknown, 
but  vaguely  heard  of. 

Of  John  the  Baptist  the  Master  said  that  "none 
greater  was  born  of  woman."  There  is  nothing  to 
indicate  education  or  experience  in  his  case  (he  was 
about  the  age  of  Jesus),  therefore  this  immortal  testi- 
mony makes  it  clear  that  John's  greatness  was  through 
the  possession  of  Spiritual  intuition,  so  far  above  hu- 
man knowledge.  Paul  says,  "The  wisdom  of  this  world 
is  foolishness  with  God."  "The  thoughts  of  the  wise 
are  vain."  Isaiah  says  "Cease  ye  from  man,  whose 
breath  is  in  his  nostrils;  for  wherein  is  he  to  be  ac- 
counted of?"  Corresponding  sayings  are  numerous 
in  the  books  of  the  Bible.  If  you  look  for  them,  with 
open  eyes,  "you  will  find." 

But  Inspiration  speaks  only  truth,  because  it  pro- 
ceeds from  the  great  source  of  all  Truth.  In  it  there 
is  absolutely  no  element  of  deviation — no  right  hand 
or  left,  but  unconditional  straight-forwardness.  In- 
spired Truth  comes  not  from  or  through  mortal  seeing, 
or  mortal  hearing,  nor  from  the  deepest  thinking  of  the 
human  mind.  Inspiration  is  sacredly  and  exclusively 
Spiritual. 

Paul,  in  the  Second  chapter  of  First  Corinthians, 


128  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

describes  the  working  of  Spirit  in  his  own  conscious- 
ness and  the  utter  dissimilarity  and  vast  superiority 
of  that  which  is  revealed,  as  compared  with  that  which 
is  discerned  through  "the  wisdom  of  this  world."  He 
says:  "My  speech  and  my  preaching,  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  of  power;  that  your  faith  should  not 
stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God. 
But  God  hath  revealed  them  unto  us  by  His  Spirit,  for 
the  Spirit  searchest  all  things,  yea,  the  deep  things  of 
God.  Now  we  have  not  received  the  spirit  of  the  world, 
but  the  Spirit  which  is  of  God." 

Carefully  read  and  study  that  chapter.  It  is  in 
itself  a  volume  of  information.  Inspired  ideas  were 
evolved  before  the  days  of  Elihu,  and  by  no  means 
ended  with  the  days  of  Paul.  What,  indeed,  has  reve- 
lation not  done  for  religion  and  mankind!  What  is 
it  accomplishing  in  these  latter  days?  How  can  revela- 
tion be,  except  by  Inspiration?  When  or  how,  did 
what  we  consider  inspiration,  begin?  Who  can  say 
it  is  ended — or  ever  will  end?  What  evidence  exists 
that  it  belongs  to  any  age?  Has  God  changed  his 
methods?  The  Bible  is  built  on  the  rock  of  inspira- 
tion. 

A  mortal  man  is  made  up  of  a  physical  body  and  a 
human  intellect,  which  may  be  compared  to  dust  and 
vapor.*  How  utterly  different  from  Spiritual  man, 
made  in  God's  likeness.  Can  dust  and  vapor  (material- 
ity) be  the  likeness  of  God,  which  is  Spirit?  On  the 
contrary,  is  it  not  the  unlikeness  of  Spirit? 


*Dust  and  vapor — that  which  crumbles  and  that  which  fades  and 
disappears. 


ELIHU,  THE  FORERUNNER  129 

Inspiration  understands  and  reveals.  It  is  the  eter- 
nal-teacher of  Truth.  It  is  not  the  exclusive  attain- 
ment of  Rabbi  or  Priest,  Scribe  or  Pharisee.  It  be- 
longs to  no  age  or  place.  In  so  far  as  man  is  controlled 
by  the  Spiritual  element  within  him,  he  is  protected  in 
body  and  mind.  "Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace 
whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee,  because  he  trusteth  in 
Thee."  Inspiration  revealed  this  truth  to  Isaiah!  Aye! 
And  today,  others  are  receiving  the  benefits  of  this 
truth.  I  speak  from  experience. 

Of  the  six  chapters  of  Job,  closing  with  the  37th, 
it  is  plain  that  whoever  reads'  them  should  have  upper- 
most in  his  mind  the  deepest  sentiment  of  reverence 
and  awe!  No  one  has  a  full  understanding  of  them, 
for  how  can  any  man  comprehend  God,  or  the  methods 
of,  God?  We  may  indeed,  "Look  unto  the  heavens  and 
see;  and  behold  the  clouds  which  are  higher  than  thou." 
(Job  35:5.)  We  may  listen  for  truth  and  be  benefited 
by  what  we  hear. 

We  are  influenced  by  good,  but  we  cannot  influence 
Good,  for  Good,  is  perfection  absolute: — Good  is  God, 
and  "He  giveth  not  account  of  any  of  his  matters." 
(Job  33:13.)  Good  alone,  perfectly  understands  good. 
God  alone,  perfectly  understands  God.  Good  is  God, 
as  distinctly  as  God  is  good.  Moreover,  good,  like  God, 
exists  everywhere.  Even  in  you,  though  you  do  not 
realize  it,  until  it  is  "brought  forth."  (Ps.  37:6;  Mark, 
13:32.) 

Realizing  that  Good  is  God  (the  Supreme),  involves 
knowing  that  God  is  good,  and  aids  us  to  comprehend 
to  the  full  extent  of  our  finite  capacity,  the  words — 
"Omnipotent,"  "Omnipresent,"  "Omniscient." 


130  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Clearly,  Good  could  not  make  evil,  because  it  would 
then  no  longer  be  good,  and  Good,  is  Eternal.  Deiiy 
would  have  to  go  out  of  existence,  which  is  as  impos- 
sible as  for  the  universe  to  dissolve.  This  is  plain,  even 
to  reason. 

Reduced  to  a  compressed  statement — can  any 
Christian  or  Deist,  doubt  the  truth  of  the  following 
compendium? 

GOOD  IS  GOOD;  ONLY  GOOD,  CAN  PRO- 
CEED FROM  GOOD.  IF  OTHER  THAN  GOOD, 
CAME  FROM  GOOD,  GOOD  WOULD  CEASE  TO 
BE  GOOD. 

And  further,  perhaps  more  important;  this  view  of 
Good,  is  more  comprehensible  than  the  endeavor  to  ex- 
plain or  to  contemplate  God,  as  a  person,  or  as  a  com- 
bination of  persons. 


I  can  neither  describe  nor  discern,  why,  the  preceding 
few  paragraphs  are  written.  There  they  stand!  Am  I 
presumptuous?  Am  I  assuming  too  much?  If  so,  I 
know  it  not.  Let  them  stand!  I  fall  in  with  nothing 
better.  Therefore — deep  though  they  be — let  them 
stand !  Until  a  better  light  is  given  me — let  them  stand! 

Moreover,  the  fervent  and  sincere  desire  for  good 
(God)  is  a  man's  first  prayer — even  though  not  ex- 
pressed in  words — even  though  not  framed  in  thought. 

We  say  audibly  or  mentally  "Thy  kingdom  come",— 
without  realizing  that  His  "Kingdom",  is  the  state  or 
condition  of  being  controlled  by  "the  Christ",  the  ever- 
present  influence  of  Good! — God!! 

Thus  understood,  this  is  the  Christ  which  is  still 
saying  to  the  Peters  of  today,  "Feed  my  sheep,"  and  to 


BEFORE  ABRAHAM  WAS,  I  AM  131 

all  mankind,  "Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway ;"  and  "My  Grace 
is  sufficient  for  thee !" 

This  "Voice"  is  heard  by  those  who  "ask,  seek  and 
knock, ....  in  Spirit  and  in  Truth !" 

CHAPTER  6. 
"Before  Abraham  was,  I  am." 

From  that  sublime  hour  when  "the  Lord  answered 
Job  out  of  the  whirlwind/'  Spiritual  light  became  his 
guiding  star,  rising  and  growing  brighter;  and  Spiritual 
understanding  a  healing,  an  enlightening  and  an  ele- 
vating force,  steadily  increasing  in  its  effect.  Then  did  he 
realize  and  say,  "Therefore  have  I  uttered  that  I  under- 
stood not;  things  too  wonderful  for  me,  which  I  knew 
not."  Then  also,  by  Divine  appointment,  he  prayed 
effectually  for  his  friends  (Elihu  is  not  mentioned  as 
one  of  them,  however),  and  his  captivity  (to  reasoning 
human  sense)  was  turned.  (Job  42:10.)  Spiritual 
truth,  had  overcome  and  subdued,  mistaken  human, 
pretension. 

"Behemoth"  had  indeed,  surrendered.  The  "Two 
or  three"  had  been  "gathered  together  in  His  name" 
and  the  superiority  of  Spirit,  was  acknowledged;  and 
His  Divine  rule— established.  Then,  SPIRIT  ad- 
vanced him.  (Ibid.) 

All  who  read  the  four  grand  chapters  (38  to  41  in- 
clusive), should  note  that  they  begin  by  the  same  senti- 
ment expressed  by  Elihu  in  verse  16  of  Chapter  35,  and 
are  followed  by  references  to  the  material  creation,  in- 
cluding the  earth  and  the  stars.  These  are  followed  by 
references  and  comparisons  to  various  animals,  includ- 
ing beasts  and  birds.  The  first  fourteen  verses  of  Chap- 


132  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

ter  forty,  illustrate  man's  incapacity  to  govern  through 
or  by  his  own  human  understanding  ("thine  own  right 
hand"),  which  left  to  itself,  wTill  do  him  more  of  harm 
than  good.  Human  self,  is  the  "carnal  mind" — the 
"man  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils."  It  is  the  selfish 
man,  utterly  and  entirely  apart  from  the  Spiritual  or 
true  man,  who  is  made  "In  our  image — after  our  like- 
ness." It  is  the  great  "unreliable" — Behemoth! 

Infinite  ideas,  come  to  man  only  through  the  Spirit- 
ual element  within  man.  These  ideas  are  emanations 
from  God  or  Good — the  Supreme.  They  never  origi- 
nate in  or  from  the  human  mind,  but  they  govern  All, 
from  the  blade  of  grass,  to  the  constellations  of  the  Uni- 
verse. 

Life  is  progressive  action — eternal  being — the  only 
Real  power. 

Truth  is  perfection.  No  adjective  is  admissible. 
Perfect  love,  is  absolute  goodness. 

"God  is  Spirit;"  and  therefore  it  remains  that  "his 
likeness,"  is  Spiritual.  Otherwise  where  is  similarity, 
or  resemblance? 

Is  the  fleshy  man  His  image?    No. 

Is  the  carnal,  selfish  mind,  His  image?    No. 

Is  human  reason,  which  so  often  is  mistaken  in  its 
beliefs,  His  image  and  His  likeness?  No. 

Can  any  person  or  thing  that  is  not  entirely  good, 
be  His  likeness?  No. 

Can  the  material  eye,  discern  the  form  of  God?    No. 

Can  the  human  ear,  distinguish  or  recognize  the 
voice  of  God?  No. 

Can  the  material  senses,  in  any  manner  describe  or 
comprehend  God?  No. 


BEFORE  ABRAHAM  WAS,  I  AM  133 

But,  is  the  Spiritual  element  within  us  (which  is 
life),  His  "image  and  likeness?"  Yea — verily. 

Is  that  which  lives,  is  pure,  good  and  true,  His  image 
and  likeness?  Absolutely  so. 

How  can  this  be  explained  or  understood:  "Then 
the  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind  and  said"? 
(Chap.  38:1,  40-6.) 

One  may  not  be  able  to  answer  this  last  question 
satisfactorily,  but  most  reverently,  I  will  try.  If  the 
effort  is  not  wholly  successful,  perhaps  it  may  lead  to 
induce  some  coming  man,  with  greater  resources  than 
mine,  to  bring  out  a  better  explanation  and  to  place  his 
words  in  a  more  comprehensive  frame.  I  am  but  a  child 
in  Spiritual  understanding.  My  conception  may  be 
fallible,  and  may  be  only  one  of  many  opinions,  any  of 
which  may  be  incorrect.  But  I  see  no  interpretation  so 
clear  as  this  which  follows. 

It  was  absolutely  a  divine  message  from  the  ever 
present  Good,  coming  into  Job's  awakened  Spiritual 
consciousness.  Not  from  or  through  his  human  men- 
tality, neither  from  the  reasoning  arguments  of  his 
friends;  not  from  "taking  thought,"  but  by  taking  "no 
thought;"  not  by  the  human  ear;  but  solely  and  entirely 
through  the  Spiritual  understanding,  which  pertains  to 
what  Paul  calls  the  "Inner  man."  The  Spiritual  ear 
hears  when  the  inner  (Spiritual)  man  is  awakened. 

This  "Inner  man,"  must  grow  and  develop  into  a 
controlling  force  and  become  able,  first  to  cope  with, 
and  then  to  subdue  and  bring  into  willing  obedience, 
the  human  mentality,  upon  which  mortals  so  much  de- 
pend. This  is  the  David  and  Goliath  battle,  in  which 
the  giant  must  be  overcome.  Human  mentality  is  as 


134  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

a  giant  (Behemoth)  defying  all,  and  claiming  strength 
and  power  above  all.  But  the  less  pretentious  "Inner 
man"  armed  with  faith,  trusting  in  God  alone,  deter- 
mined, tireless  and  deathless,  must  be  the  victor.  When 
or  how,  this  victory  will  occur,*  "knoweth  no  man,  not 
the  angels  of  heaven,  but  my  Father  only.  (Matt.  24:36 
—Mark  13:32.)  "God  worketh  in  you,  both  to  will  and 
to  do."  (Phil.  2:13.)  So  must  finally  come  the  con- 
quest of  Soul  over  self,  in  the  battle  of  human  experi- 
ence. 

What  wonderful  depth  of  Spiritual  meaning  is  em- 
braced in  the  Biblical  account  of  the  duel  between  David 
and  this  Goliath  of  Gath!  (1st  Sam.  17.)  The  armour- 
covered  giant,  armed  with  Spear  and  Sword;  the  Shep- 
herd boy,  with  his  staff,  a  little  sling  and  five  smooth 
pebbles  "out  of  the  brook."  Giant,  Spear,  Sword,  Arm- 
our, Shield;  and  Shepherd:  Boy,  Staff,  Sling,  Pebbles, 
Brook — all  these  words  have  Spiritual  signification. 
Also  Stone,  Forehead  and  "Face  to  the  earth."  Here  is 
the  victory  of  Good  over  evil. 

"David  ran,  and  stood  upon  the  Philistine,  and  took 
his  Sword,  and  drew  it  out  of  the  sheath  thereof  and 
slew  him,  and  cut  off  his  head  therewith.  And  when 
the  Philistines  saw  their  champion  was  dead,  they  fled." 
(1st  Sam.  17:51.) 

The  decapitation,  here  figuratively  described,  is  be- 
ing repeated  today,  for  evils  and  errors  flee  when  "their 
champion"  is  slain.  This  Giant  is  the  great  "Unre- 
liable",— Human  Pretention. 


*"The  wind  bloweth  where  it  listeth  and  them  hearest  the  sound 
thereof  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh  and  whither  it  goeth;  so  is 
every  one  that  is  born  of  the  Spirit."  (John  3:8.) 


BEFORE  ABRAHAM  WAS,  I  AM  135 

The  historical  account,  is  dim,  when  compared  with 
the  allegorical  illustration,  which  it  symbolizes. 

Jesus  saith,  "No  man  cometh  to  the  Father  but  by 
me."  Is  there  any  limitation  of  time  or  date  in  this 
declaration  ?  On  the  contrary  he  said,  "Before  Abraham 
was  I  am."  Also  he  said,  "Lo !  I  am  with  you  alway." 

But  these  words  of  Jesus,  were  in  reality,  Spiritual 
expressions  of  the  ever-present  Christ,  who  is,  always 
has  been  and  eternally  will  be,  one  with  the  Father. 

The  human  Jesus,  of  flesh  and  bone,  was  upon  the 
earth  for  but  a  brief  period;  That  of  which  he  was  the 
embodiment — the  Son — the  Christ — was  "before  Abra- 
ham" and  "before  the  world  was."  What  Jesus  the 
Master  was — Christ  the  Saviour,  is. 

Let  us  turn  again  to  Elihu,  whose  opening  words 
filled  his  hearers  with  amazement,  and  his  continued 
speaking  presented  a  gleam  of  ideas  which  before  had 
never  occurred  to  them.  Drawing  his  "knowledge  from 
afar"  he  was  indeed  a  splendid  explainer  of  Spiritual 
power,  compared  to  which  all  other  so-called  power,  is 
a  cipher. 

No  thoughtful  man  can  read  the  book  of  Job  with- 
out clearly  seeing  that  the  instruction  so  evident,  in  the 
first  thirty-one  chapters,  even  though  they  contain  so 
much  of  worldly  wisdom,  is  not  to  be  compared  with 
that  of  the  eleven  concluding  chapters,  which  embody 
an  account  of  Spiritual  awakening,  and  its  effect  upon 
the  man  who  thereby  is  aroused  to  a  higher  sense  and 
understanding  of  life,  through  the  entire  transforma- 
tion, of  a  diseased  body  and  a  sinning  mentality. 

What  a  subject  this  is  for  reflection,  and  how  much 
could  be  written  upon  it!  Through  Spiritual  discern- 


136  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

ment  alone,  can  we  know  the  Truth.  But,  see  it  we 
must.  The  Master  said,  "Ye  shall  know  the  truth,  and 
the  truth  shall  make  you  free."  So  came  the  ever-exist- 
ent and  ever-coming  Christ  (Truth)  to  Job,  even  as  it 
comes  to  all  who  earnestly  seek  for  it — but  "Elias  truly 
shall  first  come  and  restore  all  things."  (Matt.  17:11- 
13.) 

All  Christians  acknowledge  John  the  Baptist  as  the 
forerunner  of  the  appearance  of  Christ  (the  Christ)  to 
the  world  in  the  person  of  Jesus.  He  came  as  a  plain, 
lowly  but  sincere  and  earnest  worker  "crying  in  the 
wilderness."  In  like  manner  came  the  young  man, 
Elihu,  to  Job,  as  one  who  awakens  a  sleeper;  crying  in 
the  wilderness  of  human  mistakes,  doubts  and  fears. 

At  the  concluding  part  of  Elihu's  speech,  are  refer- 
ences and  comparisons  to  the  sky,  the  clouds,  the  weath- 
er, the  thunders  and  lightnings  (see  Chap.  37  entire), 
and  these  are  noticeable,  as  preliminary  to  the  "voice 
out  of  the  whirlwind."  Certainly  Job  had  passed 
through  a  storm  of  experience,  in  his  early  prosperity, 
followed  closely  by  adversity,  sorrow,  suffering,  dis- 
couragement on  the  part  of  his  wife  and  unsatisfactory 
disputes  with  his  kindly,  but  mistaken  friends,  who  were 
his  neighbors  and  companions. 

Now  Elihu  (unpretentious  as  to  age,  experience  or 
worldly  wisdom),  comes  with  an  awakening  speech 
based  not  on  human  reasoning  (which  is  liable  to  mis- 
taken conceptions  and  conclusions),  but  on  Spiritual 
understanding,  which  is  true  knowledge — such  as  was 
given  to  John  the  Baptist  when  he  proclaimed  "the 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand."  And  this  quickening 
sermon  is  at  the  height  of  the  storm,  culminating  in  the 


BEFORE  ABRAHAM  WAS,  I  AM  137 

voice  "out  of  the  whirlwind,"  which  came,  bringing 
light  to  Job,  even  as  the  voice  of  Christianity  came  to 
the  world,  when  the  Christ,  appearing  in  the  person  of 
the  man  Jesus;  bringing  light  to  the  world. 

Of  John  the  Baptist  we  read,  "And  he  shall  go  before 
him  in  the  spirit  and  power  of  Elias;  to  turn  the  hearts 
of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  disobedient,  to 
the  wisdom  of  the  just;  to  make  ready,  a  people  pre- 
pared for  the  Lord." 

"And  thou  child  shalt  be  called  the  prophet  of  the 
Highest  for  thou  shalt  go  before  the  face  of  the  Lord  to 
prepare  His  ways; 

"To  give  light  to  them  that  sit  in  darkness,  and  in 
the  shadow  of  death."  (Luke  1 :  vs.  17,  76,  79.) 

John  the  Baptist  "was  not  that  Light,  but  was  sent  to 
bear  witness  to  that  Light.  That  was  the  true  Light, 
which  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world." 
(John  1:8-9.) 

Nevertheless,  the  teachings  of  the  forerunner  were 
in  perfect  accord  with  those  of  Him  whom  he  came  to 
witness.  So  also  the  teachings  of  Elihu,  were  in  har- 
mony with  the  illuminating  instruction  of  the  Voice 
out  of  the  whirlwind. 

Elihu  had  heard  this  commanding  voice,  and  real- 
ized that  obedience  was  imperative  (Job  32:22),  and  his 
message  to  Job  is  for  all  readers  of  the  Bible.  His  work 
was  blessed  in  its  effect  upon  Job,  and  its  further  in- 
fluence on  his  three  kind,  but  mistaken  friends.  And, 
if  we  of  today,  are  really  "seeking"  (as  commanded  by 
the  Master)  we  also  can  be  benefited  by  the  awakening 
words  of  this  ancient  forerunner. 

How  different,  this  blessed  obedience  of  Elihu,  from 


138  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

the  disobedience  of  "the  prophet  Jonah,"  whose  en- 
deavors to  escape  from  duty,  plunged  him  into  a  stormy 
sea  of  indescribable  difficulties  and  troubles.  (Jonah, 
Chapters  1  and  2.) 

This  is  indeed  the  ever-speaking  voice  of  God,  "yet 
man  perceiveth  it  not."  That  is,  the  reasoning  man  of 
the  world,  whose  eyes  are  blinded  and  whose  ears  are 
stopped  by  the  over-shadowing  cares,  joys,  sorrows, 
pleasures,  sufferings  and  innumerable  incidents  of  this 
present  existence,  is  hindered  from  perceiving.* 

Not  so  with  the  Spiritual  man,  whose  senses  are  not 
limited  by  or  to,  earthly  experiences;  for  only  through 
Spiritual  enlightenment  do  we,  or  indeed  can  we,  dis- 
cern the  Truth  of  Divine  influence.  Elihu,  guided  by 
Spiritual  understanding,  was  far  more  in  harmony  with 
that  voice  out  of  the  whirlwind,  than  with  the  reason- 
ing of  the  friends,  or  Job's  replies  to  the  friends.  What 
wonder  that  they  were  amazed!  What  wonder  that 
the  Pharisees  and  doctors,  when  they  heard  the  words 
of  the  youthful  Jesus,  "were  astonished  at  his  under- 
standing and  answers."  So  also  were  his  parents 
amazed  when  they  found  him  hearing  and  questioning 
the  humanly  wise  theologians  of  his  day.  Yet  even  his 
parents  understood  not.  And  why?  Because  of  lack 
of  ability  for  Spiritual  discernment,  for  in  this,  they 
were  on  the  same  level  with  the  learned  elders  and  doc- 
tors. (Luke  2:46-50.) 

Even  the  disciples  who  were  with  the  Master,  were 
unable  to  fully  comprehend  his  words.  Peter,  the  most 
assertive  and  therefore  apparently  the  "strongest 


"The  master  said:    "The  prince  of  this  world  cometh,  and  hath 
nothing  in  me."     This  refers  to  human  reasoning,  man's  "right  hand." 


BEFORE  ABRAHAM  WAS,  I  AM  139 

minded"  of  them,  seemed  to  have  the  largest  share  of 
trouble.  To  him  the  Master  said,  "Wherefore  didst 
thou  doubt?"  And  again,  "Satan  has  desired  to  have 
thee;"  and  again,  "Get  thou  behind  me,  Satan."  O 
tough-minded  old  brother!  Peter!  (Matt.  14:31  and 
16:23  and  Luke  22:31.) 

The  meek  and  quiet  John,  through  higher  Spiritual 
insight,  was  far  better  able  to  understand.  Between 
these  two,  stood  questioning  Philip  and  doubting 
Thomas.  Luke  (not  one  of  the  twelve)  appears  to  be 
the  most  careful  and  painstaking.  Afterward  came 
Paul;  a  tower  of  mentality,  but,  until  his  marvelous  con- 
version, unable  in  the  least  to  understand  the  grand 
truths  of  Christ  Jesus'  teaching.  Then,  however,  there 
were  given  to  him  revelations,  which  were  and  are  be- 
yond the  capacity  of  mortals  to  measure.  No  Chris- 
tian questions  the  validity  of  those  revelations  to  Paul 
—"Paul  an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ  by  the  will  of  God 
*  *  *  by  the  commandment  of  God."  Spiritual 
Paul,  "put  off"  Carnal  Saul ! 

If,  in  this  age,  there  be  those  who  deny  inspired  reve- 
lation since  the  days  of  John  and  Paul,  there  are  many 
who  will  not  and  cannot  agree  with  them.  There  are 
evidences  of  revelation  in  every  age,  and  none  so  mo- 
mentous as  that  which  though  so  long  obscured  from 
man  by  shadowy  clouds,  is  again  visible  through  Spirit- 
ual understanding — like  as  a  snow-crowned  mountain 
in  the  heavens !  Look  in  the  right  direction,  "seek,  and 
ye  shall  find."  "Watch;"  for  the  winds  of  Truth  are 
blowing  away  the  clouds  of  human  mistaken  concepts. 
Truth,  which  alone  commands  the  wind,  is  being  re- 
vealed (to  Spiritual  eyes)  even  now.  Truth,  is  the  one 
All-power  which  regenerates  man  and  the  universe. 


140  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

"Ye  shall  know  the  Truth,  and  the  Truth,  shall  make 
you  free." 

Whence  comest  this  Truth?  Is  it  only  through  rea- 
son ?  If  in  ancient  days  it  came  through  the  Christ,  and 
he  is  "With  us  alway,"  as  Himself  declared,  why  shall 
we  not  hear  His  voice  today?  Not  the  human  voice  of 
Jesus,  but  the  Spiritual  voice  of  the  forever  Christ; 
otherwise,  why  his  presence  or  his  promise?  Let  man- 
kind realize  and  utilize  this  promise;  and  let  us  know 
that  immeasurable  power  stands  behind  it! 

When  the  Spiritual  element  within  you  is  awakened, 
the  Spiritual  eye,  will  see  the  light  and  the  Spiritual 
ear,  will  hear  the  voice  of  Truth.  This  I  Know! 

The  words  of  Elihu  are  finished  in  this  (37th)  chap- 
ter and  he  disappears,  as  an  actor  who  has  completed 
his  allotted  part.  He  realizes  with  reverence  and  sub- 
lime awe  that  he  has  been  the  Divinely  appointed  mes- 
senger sent  to  Job  in  the  hour  of  his  need.  Listen,  O 
man,  for  he  speaks  to  all  humanity. 

"Hearken  unto  this,  O  Job;  stand  still,  consider  the 
wondrous  works  of  God ;  dost  thou  know  that  God  dis- 
posed them  and  caused  the  light  of  his  cloud  to  shine; 
dost  thou  know  the  balancing  of  the  clouds,  the  won- 
drous works  of  Him  which  is  perfect  in  knowledge?" 

These  are  the  beginnings  of  questions  that  are  con- 
tinued in  the  next  four  chapters.  "But  Elias  shall  first 


come." 


The  thirty-eighth  and  thirty-ninth  chapters  brought 
to  Job  and  his  bewildered  friends,  teachings  of  the  en- 
tire insufficiency  and  inability  of  the  human  mind  to 
comprehend  or,  except  in  a  very  limited  sense,  under- 
stand even  the  things  which  are  all  around  us.  Many 


BEFORE  ABRAHAM  WAS,  I  AM  141 

questions  are  asked,  not  one  of  which  can  be  fully 
answered  or  explained  through  man's  reasoning.  The 
plain  lesson  is,  the  inadequacy  of  man's  philosophy,  and 
the  limitless  power  and  wisdom  of  God.  Human  rea- 
son is  as  incapable  of  comprehending  God,  as  the  human 
eye  is  of  beholding  Him.  (1st  Cor.  2:9.) 

This  is  even  more  forcibly  brought  out  in  the  first 
fourteen  verses  of  the  fortieth  chapter.  Job's  Spiritual 
self,  is  just  beginning  to  awaken,  and  he  takes  his  first 
step  in  the  right  direction.  "I  will  lay  mine  hand  upon 
my  mouth."  That  is,  he  silences  his  reasoning  and 
turns  entirely  to  Spiritual  guidance  and  strength.  The 
"Voice,"  with  a  few  more  words,  reveals  to  him  more 
fully  man's  utter  inability,  in  and  of  himself,  "thine 
own  right  hand"  (that  is,  by  his  own  human  wisdom),  to 
save  or  protect  either  his  body  or  his  mind.  "God 
*  *  *  is  mighty  in  strength  and  wisdom."  (Job 
36:5.)  "The  wisdom  of  this  world  (man's  right  hand) 
is  foolishness  with  God."  (1  Cor.  3:19.)  And  Jesus 
referred  to  human  foresight,  and  human  strength  and 
cunning,  when  he  said:  "Pluck  it  out  and  cast  it  from 
thee,"  and  "Cut  it  off,  and  cast  it  from  thee."  (Mat.  5: 
29-30.)  Human  thought  plainly  cometh  of  evil.  (Mat. 
5:37.) 

Job's  entire  transformation,  was  the  result  of  this 
experience.  Spiritual  Truth  had  taken  control,  where 
human  intelligence,  had  been  the  usurper. 

Well  might  he  have  acknowledged  with  Isaiah ;  "O 
Lord  our  God,  other  lords  beside  Thee  have  had  domin- 
ion over  us!" 

And  O  Mortal  Man !  We  are  many,  who  must  con- 
fess to  having  been  under  a  corresponding  tyranny.  If 


142  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

we  should  go  into  details,  there  would  hardly  be  an  end 
to  what  might  be  told  of  the  devilish  dominion  of  the 
"Princes  of  this  world."  (Pride!  Lust!  Greed!) 

This  I  acknowledge  indeed;  for  I  speak  from  the 
experience  of  my  seventy  years — as  may  be  said  com- 
paratively, on  the  Egyptian  side  of  the  Red  Sea! 

But  as  for  Job,  henceforth  the  Spiritual  eye,  guided 
him;  Spiritual  Power,  strengthened  him;  Spiritual  Wis- 
dom, opened  his  understanding. 

Paul  says;  "Be  ye  transformed  by  the  renewing  of 
your  mind."  (Rom.  12:2.) 

Our  Master  said:  "No  man  cometh  unto  me,  except 
the  Father  draw  him."  This  "Father"  is  Goodness,  the 
Godlike  element  "within  you."  Perhaps  the  intensity 
of  this  unrealized  attracting  and  impelling  influence, 
may  vary  in  different  men,  but  it  (Goodness)  is  the 
"Pearl  of  great  price"  within  every  one;  it  continually 
speaks  with  "the  still  (silent)  small  voice."  It  is  of  God, 
the  unconquerable  subduer  of  evil.  It  is  the  Truth — yea 
— the  Very  Christ,  which  is  able,  ready  and  willing  to 
free  you  (every  one  of  us),  from  the  bondage  of  Sin  and 
pain.  It  is  the  "Light  shining  in  darkness,"  but  the 
darkness  (human  knowledge)  is  unable  to  comprehend 
it.  Untold  millions  pass  through  this  condition  of  ex- 
istence, utterly  unheeding  this  Truth  *  *  *  This 
Truth !  Verily  !  The  pre-eminence  and  predominance 
of  that  which  is  Spiritual,  over  that  which  is  human. 

Job's  humanity  brought  him  into  darkness  and  "The 
shadow  of  death,"  but  his  Spirituality,  when  it  came  into 
control,  lifted  him  into  light  and  freedom. 


BEHEMOTH  AND  LEVIATHAN  143 

CHAPTER  7. 
Behemoth  and  Leviathan. 

With  the  fifteenth  verse  of  this  (40th)  chapter  begins 
a  description  that  surpasses  anything  that  has  preceded 
it,  even  as  the  human  is  above  the  animal.  It  is  an  alle- 
gorical representation  of  that  intelligence  which  we  call 
the  human  mind,  and  here  figuratively  referred  to  as  an 
animal,  though  possessing  qualities  which  are  unthink- 
able as  pertaining  to  any  beast.  The  name  given  to  this 
marvellous  and  unclassable  nondescript,  is  Behemoth. 
This  name  occurs  nowhere  else'  in  the  Bible  but  in  the 
book  of  Job,  and  here  only  once.  Regarding  it,  learned 
men  have  given  much  time  to  discovering  exactly  what 
animal  (  ?)  was  the  one  referred  to.  Let  us  look  and  see 
what  results  they  have  accomplished. 

The  most  careful  literary  interpretation  I  have  found 
says,  "The  term  Behemoth,  taken  intensively,  may  be 
assumed  to  be  a  poetical  personification  of  the  great 
Pachydermata,  or  even  Herbivora,  wherein  the  idea  of 
hippopotamus  is  predominant."  So!  Pachydermata!* 

But,  getting  a  little  more  plain,  Webster  defines  Be- 
hemoth as  "an  animal,  probably  the  hippopotamus",  and 
Leviathan  as  "an  aquatic  animal,  probably  a  crocodile." 
Old  Bible  dictionaries  and  commentaries  give  corres- 
ponding definitions;  and  it  would  seem  that  they  are 
commonly  accepted,  today,  alike  by  scholars,  professors 
and  the  clergy,  and  of  course  by  laymen  at  large.  Some 
Hebrew  writers  speak  of  Behemoth  as  the  largest  land 
animal,  and  Leviathan  as  the  largest  sea  animal  (some- 

*As   Captain   Cuttle  remarked,   when   he   listened   with   deference 
to  the  profound  reasoning  of  Captain  Jack  Bunsby — "Vat  visdom!" 


144  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

what  indefinite).  Elephants  and  whales  are  likewise 
given  respectful  consideration.  Average  people  think 
little  or  nothing  concerning  the  subject. 

The  "Encyclopaedia  of  Religious  \Knowledge"  is 
authority  for  the  opinion  that  the  hippopotamus  was  the 
animal  spoken  of  as  Behemoth,  in  the  book  of  Job;  and 
further,  that  Behemoth  and  Leviathan  "evidently  appear 
to  be  presented  as  companions ;  to  be  reserved  as  fellows 
and  associates."* 

It  further  states: 

"Aristotle  represents  the  hippopotamus  to  be  of  the 
size  of  an  ass;  Herodotus  affirms  that  in  stature  he  is 
equal  to  the  largest  ox;  Diodorus  makes  his  height  not 
less  than  five  cubits,  or  about  seven  feet  and  a  half ;  and 
Tatius  calls  him,  on  account  of  his  prodigious  strength, 
the  Egyptian  elephant." 

And  again: 

"Nor  is  he  less  remarkable  for  his  sagacity;  of  which 
two  instances  are  recorded  by  Pliny  and  Solinus.  After 
he  has  gorged  himself  with  corn,  and  begins  to  return 
with  a  distended  belly  to  the  deep,  with  averted  steps 
he  traces  a  great  many  paths,  lest  his  pursuers,  following 
the  lines  of  one  plain  track,  should  overtake  and  destroy 
him  while  he  is  unable  to  resist.  The  second  instance  is 
not  less  remarkable.  When  he  has  become  fat  with  too 
much  indulgence,  he  reduces  his  obesity  by  copious 


*  Whoever  wrote  this  sentiment  may  have  been  nearer  correct 
than  men  are  aware  of.  Materially,  no.  Figuratively,  yes.  There  is 
little  in  common  between  the  hippopotamus  and  the  crocodile.  Fear 
and  voracity  will  hardly  promote  companionship.  Only  figuratively  can 
they  be  reserved  as  "fellows  and  associates."  Then  it  may  be  under- 
dertood  as  human  intelligence,  so  prone  toward  companionship  with 
ungodliness.  Evil  (the  devil)  continually  seeks  companionship  with 
the  human  mind  and  too  often  his  seductive  approaches  are  enter- 
tained. 


BEHEMOTH  AND  LEVIATHAN  145 

bleedings.  For  this  purpose  he  searches  for  newly-cut 
reeds,  or  sharp-pointed  rocks,  and  rubs  himself  against 
them  until  he  makes  a  sufficient  aperture  for  the  blood 
to  flow.  To  promote  the  discharge,  it  is  said,  he  agi- 
tates his  body;  and  when  he  thinks  (?)  he  has  lost  a 
sufficient  quantity,  he  closes  the  wound  by  rolling  him- 
self in  the  mud!"  O  Surgery! 

Of  the  Leviathan  it  states: 

"The  old  commentators  concurred  in  regarding  the 
whale  as  the  animal  here  intended.  Beza  and  Diodati 
were  among  the  first  to  interpret  it  as  the  crocodile;  and 
Bochart  has  since  supported  this  last  rendering  with  a 
train  of  argument  (?)  which  has  nearly  overwhelmed 
all  opposition,  and  brought  almost  every  other  commen- 
tator over  to  his  opinion.  ( !)  It  is  very  certain  that  it 
could  not  be  the  whale,  which  does  not  inhabit 
the  Mediterranean,  much  less  the  rivers  that 
empty  themselves  into  it;  nor  will  the  char- 
acteristics at  all  apply  to  the  whale.  The  croco- 
dile, on  the  contrary,  is  a  natural  inhabitant 
of  the  Nile,  and  other  Asiatic  and  African  rivers;  of 
enormous  voracity  and  strength,  as  well  as  fleetness  in 
swimming;  attacks  mankind  and  the  largest  animals 
with  most  daring  impetuosity;  when  taken  by  means  of 
a  powerful  net,  will  often  overturn  the  boats  that  sur- 
round it;  has,  proportionately,  the  largest  mouth  of  all 
monsters  whatever;  moves  both  its  jaws  equally,  the 
upper  of  which  has  not  less  than  forty,  and  the  lower 
thirty-eight  sharp,  but  strong  and  massy  teeth;  and  is 
furnished  with  a  coat  of  mail,  so  scaly  and  callous  as  to 
resist  the  force  of  a  musket  ball  in  every  part  except 
under  the  belly.  Indeed,  to  this  animal  the  general 


146  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

character  of  the  Leviathan  seems  so  well  to  apply,  that 
it  is  unnecessary  to  seek  farther."  So! 

How  transient  are  the  wild-flowers  of  guess  work ! 

How  tangled  and  confused,  and  therefore  unreliable, 
are  the  reasonings  and  varying  conclusions  (  ?)  of  these 
so-called  authorities  on  the  subject!  Men  of  good  mo- 
tives undoubtedly  they  may  have  been,  and  learned  in 
their  way,  but  so  wedded  to  materiality,  as  to  be  unable 
to  comprehend  anything  beyond  a  fleshy  animal. 

Suppose  that  one  of  these  learned  men  had  carefully 
explained  to  a  lot  of  Sunday-school  children  all  about 
Leviathan  as  a  crocodile,  and  just  here  some  incorri- 
gible ten-year-old  should  suggest:  "Isaiah  (27:1)  says 
'Leviathan  is  a  crooked  serpent',''  and  another  young- 
ster should  remark:  "David  says  that  Leviathan  has 
more  than  one  head."  (Psalm  74:14.)  Consternation! 
We  have  then  David  and  Isaiah  (both  are  inspired  writ- 
ers) on  the  one  side,  and  the  learned  commentators  on 
the  other;  and  consequently,  who  shall  the  children  be- 
lieve? (The  learned  professor  here  retires  for  further 
deliberation,  perhaps  thinking  how  much  better  it  would 
have  been  if  David  and  Isaiah  had  attended  more  closely 
to  their  own  affairs.) 

It  should  be  remembered  that  there  are  two  ways  of 
interpreting  Bible  statements;  the  Spiritual  and  the 
material,  and  the  latter  should,  and  finally  must,  give 
precedence  to  the  former.  Spiritual  is  Godlike;  the 
material  is  manlike,  the  true  and  the  false. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  there  is  no  evidence  to  cause  the 
belief  that  either  Behemoth  or  Leviathan,  as  animals, 
ever  had  an  existence;  for  it  is  entirely  impossible  that 
any  material  animals,  could  answer  or  fulfill  the  de- 


BEHEMOTH  AND  LEVIATHAN  147 

scriptions  given  of  them  in  the  book  of  Job;  neither  do 
they  come  near  those  descriptions,  as  can  be  plainly 
seen  by  anyone  who  will  carefully  read  them.  They  are 
fallacies — material  conceptions,  merely  someone's 
opinions. 

All  efforts  to  account  for  Behemoth  and  Leviathan 
as  animals  or'  as  representing  scientifically  classified 
species  of  animals  as  "pachydermata"  (thick  skinned) 
or  "herbivora"  (grass-eaters),  or  carnivora  (flesh  eat- 
ers), are  failures.  Such  comparisons  do  not  and  cannot 
meet  the  case — neither  in  word  nor  effect.  We  must  look 
beyond  the  material! 

It  is  important  to  note  (Chapter  40:15)  "Behold  now 
Behemoth  which  I  made,  with  Thee".  This  is  the  human 
knowledge  which  is  given  to  man,  by  which  he  has  "do- 
minion over  the  fish  of  the  sea  and  over  the  fowl  of  the 
air  and  over  every  living  thing  that  moveth  upon  the 
earth".  (Gen.  1:29.) 

"Leviathan"  God  never  made:  but  yet  man  alone, 
cannot  subdue  him.  "His  terrors."  How  ineffectual  is 
man's  right  hand:  God's  power,  alone,  can  subdue  sin. 
"Who  hath  prevented  me  that  I  should  repay  him. 
Whatsoever  is  under  the  whole  Heaven  is  mine."  (Job 
41:11.) 

In  what  manner  is  Behemoth  "chief  of  the  ways  of 
God?" 

Tell  the  meaning  of  "he  that  made  him  (Behemoth) 
can  make  his  sword  to  approach  unto  him." 

What  is  meant  by  "mountains"  in  verse  20th? 

Verses  21  and  22 — Does  Behemoth  lie  "under  the 
shady  trees  (planning,  scheming,  plotting),  in  the  covert 
of  the  reed,  and  fens"?  "The  shady  trees"? 


148  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Is  it  not  human  pretention  that  "drinketh  up  a  river" 
— that  "can  draw  up  Jordan  into  his  mouth"? 

"He  taketh  it  with  his  eyes;  his  nose  pierceth  through 
snares!"  Can  an  animal  fulfill  this  description?  Is  it  not 
perfectly  fitted  to  describe  those  braggarts — Human 
Obstinacy  and  Human  Presumption?  Read  again  Tob 
40:15-24." 

"Behemoth"  (reason),  made  as  man's  servant,  is  ever 
endeavoring  to  become  his  master.  Uncontrolled  by 
good  (God),  he  becomes  perverse,  tyrannical,  and  ob- 
stinate in  the  wrong — like  a  vicious  horse,  kicking  or 
biting,  now  balking,  now  going  ahead  spasmodically  and 
regardless  of  direction,  unreliable  and  full  of  anger. 
Looking  for  trouble  and  finding  it.  What  unlimited  con- 
fidence he  has  in  the  entire  propriety  of  his  own  wisdom ! 
He  is  running  mate  to  Leviathan!  He  is  the  warhorse 
that  must  be  tamed  and  guided. 

Let  us  turn  to  the  forty-first  chapter  of  Job. 

The  correct  name  for  "Leviathan"  is  EVIL,  SIN. 
He  is  the  adversary,  the  serpent  in  the  garden.  He  is  the 
opposite  of  God,  (Good);  the  Satan  that  "came  also," 
"a  liar  and  the  father  of  it",  "the  great  red  dragon  that 

"stood  before  the  woman to  devour  her  child  as 

soon  as  it  was  born,"  "that  old  Serpent  called  the  Devil, 
and  Satan  which  deceiveth  the  whole  world."  (In 
Isaiah,  27:1,  we  read  "Leviathan,  the  piercing  serpent, 
Leviathan,  that  crooked  serpent.") 

"Behold  the  hope  of  him  is  vain;  shall  not  one  be  cast 
down,  even  at  the  sight  of  him" — "Who  hath  prevented 
me,  that  I  should  repay  him?  Whatsoever  is  under  the 
whole  heaven  is  mine."  (Job,  41:9-11.) 

God  alone  can  subdue  sin.     Man  cannot;  therefore, 


BEHEMOTH  AND  LEVIATHAN  149 

let  him  obey  and  trust  in  God.  "It  is  God  that  worketh 
in  you  to  will  and  to  do  of  his  good  pleasure."  Not  your 
feeble  effort — not  your  "reasoning".  "It  is  Spirit  that 
makes  pure."  "Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities!" 

"I  will  not  conceal  his  parts,  nor  his  power,  nor  his 
comely  proportion."  (Job,  41 :12.) 

(How  different  from  "Behemoth"  (the  human 
mind),  which  "I  (God)  made  with  thee!" 

"Who  can  open  the  doors  of  his  face?"  "His  heart 
is  as  firm  as  a  stone ;  yea,  as  hard  as  a  piece  of  the  nether 
millstone."  Look  not  on  his  face  nor  his  stony  heart. 
(Read  the  41st  chapter  of  Job.)  • 

This  "Leviathan"  is  the  uncreated  Devil  that  is  for- 
ever seeking  to  deceive,  to  delude  and  to  mislead  human 
intelligence.  Jesus  called  him  by  his  right  name,  "A 
liar  from  the  beginning  and  the  father  of  it."  (John 
8:44).  This  is  the  murderer  that  wrought  in  Saul  the 
Pharisee  (afterward  Paul),  "all  manner  of  errors"  and 
then  "slew  him."  (Rom.,  7:8-11.) 

Take  time  to  study  (not  carelessly  read)  this  seventh 
chapter  of  Romans.  It  is  too  deep  to  be  comprehended 
by  simply  reading. 

Perhaps  Job,  through  his  bitter  but  chastening  ex- 
periences, his  awakening  by  Elihu  and  his  instruction 
through  the  "Voice",  may  have  attained  to  a  better  un- 
derstanding of  Spiritual  light,  guidance  and  strength, 
than  any  other  man  of  his  time. 

Behemoth  typifies  what  Paul  calls  "carnal  mind",  in 
his  letters  to  Romans  and  Corinthians. 

Shall  we  look  for  higher  authority?  Listen  to  the 
voice  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God.  He  warns  us 
against  depending  upon  thought;  that  is,  human  intel- 


150  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

ligence,  which  (rightly  understood)  is  the  "eye"  that 
must  be  "plucked  out"  and  the  "right  hand"  that  must 
be  "cut  off"  before  we  can  come  into  the  correct  under- 
standing of  that  Truth  which  "makes  us  free." 

In  the  14th  verse  of  the  40th  chapter  of  Job,  human 
intelligence  is  very  distinctly  referred  to  as  the  right 
hand  of  this  representative  man. 

The  Master  said  "Take  no  thought."  This  declara- 
tion used  to  be  a  stumbling-block  to  me.  No  thought! 
No  thought!  Did  He  really  mean  it?  Cannot  we  see 
the  absurdity  of  such  teaching?  Surely  there  must  be 
some  mistake  (says  reason)  about  this. 

Turn  to  Matthew  6:25.  "Take  no  thought  for  your 
life — what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink."  "Aston- 
ishing" says  the  Prince  of  this  world!  "Absurd"  says 
reason.  "Inconsistent,  without  common  sense."  Yes! 
O  yes!  But  are  we  quite  satisfied?  Or  yet  content  with 
our  reasoning?  Does  not  uncertainty  usually  attend  it? 

Truth  asks  us :  "Will  you  be  governed  by  your  feeble 
and  deviating  reason,  or  by  the  Spiritual  element,  the 
Kingdom  of  God  within  you?" 

Leviathan  is  for  ever  condoning  your  faults,  cover- 
ing them  up  in  the  earth  so  that  they  may  spring  up  and 
bear  more  corrupt  fruit.  He  would  plant  the  garden  of 
your  mind  with  the  seeds  of  evil.  "Tares"  indeed! 

Humanity  has  its  Spiritual  element;  and  this  is  the 
grandest  truth  man  can  know;  but  it  is  like  a  sleeping 
infant. 

Humanity  has  its  unspiritual  element,  which  is  like 
a  wide-awake  young  man  ("the  young  lion"),  and  under 
this  influence,  humanity  is  continually  getting  itself  into 
mistakes  which  lead  to  troubles  of  every  kind,  including 


BEHEMOTH  AND  LEVIATHAN  151 

sin  and  sickness.  This  was  clear  to  the  psalmist  when 
he  wrote :  'They  are  all  gone  aside,  they  are  altogether 
become  filthy;  there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not 
oner  (Ps.,  14:3.) 

Humanity  can  escape  from  the  thrall  of  this  errone- 
ous condition,  by  awakening  its  Spiritual  self,  nurturing 
its  growth,  heeding  its  voice  and  obeying  its  words,  for 
it  can  only  utter  Truth.  It  is  the  "still  small  voice"  which 
comes  not  of  human  knowledge,  but  through  the  quiet 
atmosphere  of  Truth — which  is  Spiritual.  Men  expand 
in  Spiritual  knowledge  in  proportion  to  the  earnestness 
of  their  desires  and  the  sincerity'of  their  motives. 

The  grand  fact  of  the  Bible,  the  grander  fact  of  Re- 
ligion, the  grandest  fact  of  Christianity,  is  the  predomi- 
nance of  Spiritual  Truth  over  human  (so-called)  knowl- 
edge. The  first  is  of  God:  the  second  "cometh  of  evil." 
(Mat.,  5:37).  "It  is  the  Spirit  that  quickeneth,  the  flesh 
profiteth  nothing:  the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you  they 
are  Spirit,  and  they  are  Life."  (John,  6:63.)  Here  is  the 
allness  of  God ;  and  the  nothingness  of  evil. 

If  you  ask  to  know  whence  the  writer  has  been  able 
to  see  certain  things  that  are  averred  in  this  book,  I  will 
promptly  admit,  I  do  not  know  with  certainty.  For  ex- 
ample: expressing  the  belief  that  "Behemoth",  "the 
lion"  and  "the  young  lion",  all  refer  to  human  reason; — 
and  also  that  "Leviathan",  "adder"  and  "the  dragon", 
are  identical  and  all  refer  to  sin.* 

I  am  charged  with  assumption.  So !  Let  me  reply 
that  they  who  assert  or  believe  that  these  nondescripts, 


*If  any  man  will  interpret  to  me  the  full  meaning  of  the  8th  verse 
of  the  3rd  Chapter  of  John,  I  will  endeavor  to  explain  how  I  write 
these  things. 


152  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Behemoth,  Leviathan  and  Dragon  are  animals,  are  far 
more  assumptive.  Who  ever  saw  one  of  them? 

This,  however,  I  will  affirm  and  positively  declare, 
I  have  heard  the  words  of  "a  voice",  that  is  unaccount- 
able to  reason  but  which,  I  am  convinced,  proceeds  from 
a  source  that  is  higher  than  human  reason. 

Let  me  here  quote  a  few  passages  from  the  Sacred 
Word  regarding  this  "Voice." 

1.  "Cry  aloud,  Spare  not,  Lift  up  the  Voice,  like  a 
trumpet."     (Is.,  58:1.) 

2.  "The  Voice  of  God  said,  Let  there  be  Light  and 
there  was  Light."  (Gen.,  1:3.) 

3.  "In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word 
was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God."  (John,  1:1.) 

4.  "He  spake  by  the  mouth  of  his  holy  prophets." 
(Luke,  1:70.) 

5.  "He  sent  his  Word  and  healed  them." 

6.  "I  am  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness." 
(John,  1:23). 

7.  "The  Lord  answered  Job  out  of  the  whirlwind." 
(Job,  38:1.) 

8.  "And  lo  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying,  This  is  my 
beloved  son."  (Mat.,  3:17;  Mark,  1:11.') 

9.  "And    there  came  a  voice    out    of    the    cloud." 
(Luke,  9:35.) 

10.  "My  Word  shall  not  pass  away."  (Jesus.) 

11.  "Wisdom   uttereth   her  voice   in   the   streets." 
(Prov.,  1:20.) 

12.  "If  any  man  hear  my  voice  and  open  the  door, 
I  will  come  in  to  him."     (Rev.,  3:20.) 

13.  "The  first  voice  which  I  heard  was  as  it  were 
of  a  trumpet."     (Rev.,  4:1.) 


AN  INCIDENT  153 

And  hundreds  of  other  similar  expressions  from 
Genesis  to  Revelation.  "Yet  man  perceiveth  it  not." 
(Job,  33:14.)  We,  hear  the  audible  voice!  Let  us  listen 
lor  the  unerring  Spiritual  Word.  The  ear  of  Spirit,  the 
real  man  within  you,  does  distinguish  this  higher  voice, 
though  your  human  self,  may  be  oblivious  to,  and  en- 
tirely unaware  of  it!  This  is  "the  still  small  voice." 

But  what  says  Paul  when  speaking  of  Revelation,  as 
it  came  to  him?  "It  is  not  expedient  for  me  doubtless 
to  glory.  I  will  come  to  visions  and  revelations  of  the 
Lord.  I  knew  a  man  in  Christ  above  fourteen  years  ago 
(whether  in  the  body  I  cannot  tell;  or  whether  out  of 
the  body  I  cannot  tell:  God  knoweth) — such  an  one 
caught  up  to  the  third  heaven,  and  I  knew  such  a  man 
.  .  .  .  "how  that  he  was  caught  up  into  Paradise  and 
heard  unspeakable  words,  which  it  is  not  lawful  for  a 
man  to  utter.  Of  such  a  one  will  I  glory:  yea  of  myself 
I  will  not  glory  but  in  mine  infirmities."  (Second  Cor- 
inthians, 12  Chap.  vs.  1-5.)  Did  not  this  refer  to  the 
writer  of  Revelation,  the  Apostle  John?  How  could 
it  have  been  otherwise? 

Paul  not  only  heard  the  "Voice",  but  also  was  aided 
in  earnestness  and  power  by  his  infirmities,  for  as  He 
himself  declares;  his  trials  and  troubles  added  to  his 
(Spiritual)  strength.  (2nd  Cor.,  12:10.) 

CHAPTER  8. 

An  Incident. 

In  the  first  months  of  the  year  1865,  in  the  mining 
town  of  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  there  was  a  young  man 
lying  very  sick.  The  trouble  began  with  pleurisy,  and 


154  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

for  six  or  seven  weeks  it  seemed  as  though  every  organ 
and  membrane  in  his  chest  was  swollen  with  inflamma- 
tion, attended  with  very  high  fever  and  with  tormenting 
pain  and  suffering.  During  a  large  part  of  this  time  he 
was  delirious. 

He  was  in  a  good  house  in  which  all  conditions  were 
more  than  comfortable.  Friends  surrounded  him,  one 
of  whom  became  his  constant  attendant  and  companion 
for  months.  Two  of  the  best  physicians  in  the  city 
treated  him  in  consultation,  and  for  a  time  they  were 
hopeful,  from  the  fact  that  the  patient  had  a  good  con- 
stitution and  his  age  (28  years)  was  considered  to  be 
that  at  which  a  man  has  the  greatest  capacity  to  combat 
and  endure  disease  and  suffering. 

So  the  long,  long  days  dragged  wearily  on.  Each 
morning  friends  kindly  inquired,  only  to  be  disap- 
pointed, until  even  the  light  of  hope  disappeared  from 
the  view  of  nurse,  doctors  and  friends.  One  of  the  doc- 
tors said,  "You  may  as  well  write  to  Mr. 's  friends 

and  tell  them  that  it  will  be  impossible  for  him  to  be 
alive  twenty-four  hours  hence/'  The  other  doctor  (who 
was  an  intimate  friend  of  the  sufferer),  bore  a  look  of 
utter  discouragement,  and  the  face  of  the  friend  who  was 
acting  as  nurse,  seemed  to  express  only  hopeless  de- 
spair. All  looked  for  the  end. 

That  night  the  patient,  in  a  few  moments  of  sleep, 
dreamed  that  he  saw  the  door  of  his  room  opened,  and 
there  came  in  a  young  stranger  with  a  smiling  and  good- 
natured  face,  who  in  a  businesslike  manner  announced 
that  he  came  from  the  office  of  death.  The  dreamer 
quietly  asked,  "Have  you  come  for  me?"  And  after  a 
little  parleying  was  told  "No."  (The  author  could  de- 


AN  INCIDENT  155 

tail  more  of  this  interview,  but  it  is  unnecessary.)  Fear 
was  not  present.  There  seems  no  great  importance  to 
this  dream  though,  coming  at  that  time,  it  may  have  had 
more  significance  than  we  are  aware  of. 

The  next  morning,  when  the  doctors  came,  the  pa- 
tient whispered  to  his  friend  that  he  felt  a  little  better, 
and  the  sympathizing  doctor  agreed  with  this,  and  a  day 
later  the  fever  had  very  much  abated,  and  symptoms 
were  more  favorable. 

Now  follows  the  most  deeply  interesting  part  of  this 
story.  For  many  days  the  sufferer  had  been  delirious, 
and  in  his  illusion  he  imagined,  or  in  some  way  dis- 
cerned, that  the  forms  of  two  others  were  be- 
side him.  He  was  lying  upon  his  back  and 
believed  that  at  his  right,  and  close  against  him,  was 
a  somewhat  younger  and  smaller  man,  and  next  to  him 
was  a  little  boy  of  say  five  or  six  years  or  so.  No  one  of 
this  trio  could  escape,  or  alter  his  position,  but  the  pa- 
tient was  suffering  by  fire,  for  all  three.*  He  never  spoke 
of  them  nor  turned  to  see,  but  yet  was  so  intensely  con- 
scious of  how  they  appeared  that,  although  this  occurred 
nearly  fifty  years  ago,  the  impression  still  remains — so 
vividly  that,  if  he  were  a  painter,  he  could  detail  their 
expressions  on  canvas.  The  young  man  seemed  a  cheery 
young  fellow,  such  as  you  often  meet,  somewhat 
thoughtless,  gay,  free  from  care,  neither  especially  good 
nor  distinctly  bad,  neither  wise  nor  silly,  a  kind  of  inex- 
perienced starter  out  in  some  unknown  career,  expect- 

*The  reader  may  ask  why  I  say,  "Suffering  by  fire."  It  is  this: 
For  days  and  days,  the  sick  man  believed  that  within  his  left  breast, 
were  the  hearts  of  the  three  who  were  lying  upon  the  bed.  A  small 
stick  passed  through  them  all  and  there  was  a  slow  fire  of  live  coals 
beneath,  so  that  the  three  hearts  were  being  slowly  roasted. 

If  "Dante"  ever  drew  a  more  cruel  picture,  I  am  not  aware  of  it. 


156  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

ant  of  something,  ready  to  go  anywhere  or  do  almost 
anything  that  promised  worldly  success,  almost  regard- 
less of  what  it  was.  He  seemed  a  little  dissatisfied  with 
the  sick  one  for  detaining  him,  not  suffering  pain  him- 
self, not  once  offering  to  assist  or  relieve  the  patient;  in- 
different; as  though  he  would  say,  "Live  or  die,  I  have 
nothing  to  do  with  it.  If  you  live — I'll  probably  stay 
with  you.  If  you  die — I'll  try  some  other  man."  Toward 
the  boy  at  his  side,  he  seemed  to  be  alike  indifferent, 
though  not  entirely  unaware;  and  utterly  unconcerned 
as  to  the  troubles  of  others. 

Millions  of  examples  of  this  stamp  are  and  have  been 
embodied  in,  and  are  clinging  to,  all  conditions  of  hu- 
manity, though  unseen  by  the  eye,  and  scarcely  ever 
realized  or  in  any  way  recognized  by  those  whom  they 
persistently  attend.  They  have  utterly  no  regard  for 
the  first  commandment;  neither  for  the  two  great  com- 
mandments spoken  by  Jesus.  They  exemplify  only  the 
stubborn  will  of  selfish  man;  the  "carnal"  human  mind. 

Nevertheless,  I  believe  that  this  stubborn,  untrust- 
worthy self,  has  implanted  even  in  his  own  selfhood,  an 
envious  conviction  that  the  Spiritual  self,  of  whom  he 
seems  jealous,  is  his  superior.  In  this  comparison  they 
resemble  Cain  and  Abel. 

"Abel  was  a  keeper  of  sheep,  but  Cain  was  a  tiller  of 
the  ground.  And  in  process  of  time  it  came  to  pass  that 
Cain  brought  of  the  fruit  of  the  ground  an  offering  unto 
the  Lord.  And  Abel,  he  also  brought  of  the  firstlings  of 
his  flock  and  of  the  fat  thereof.  And  the  Lord  had  re- 
spect unto  Abel  and  to  his  offering,  but  unto  Cain  and 
his  offering  he  had  no  respect." 

"And  Cain  was  verv  wroth  and  his  countenance  fell. 


AN  INCIDENT  157 

And  the  Lord  said  unto  Cain,  Why  art  thou  wroth? 
And  why  is  thy  countenance  fallen?  If  thou  doest  well, 
shall  thou  not  be  accepted?  And  if  thou  doest  not  well, 
sin  lieth  at  the  door."  (Gen.,  4-1  to  7.) 

Now,  the  face  of  the  little  boy,  represented  some- 
thing quite  different;  an  appearance  of  neglect,  and  con- 
sciousness of  such  neglect;  aware  of  something  wrong; 
a  desire  to  go  over  to  the  sufferer  but  kept  from  doing 
so  by  the  one  before  described;  an  expression  of  childlike 
helplessness  because  he  was  unable  to  make  things  bet- 
ter; a  feeling  such  as  a  child  might  have  who  was  con- 
cerned for  his  parent;  innocent  of  evil — like  those  of 
whom  the  Master  said,  "Suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven!" 

When,  as  already  stated,  a  condition  of  improve- 
ment showed  itself,  the  patient's  friends  in  their  kind- 
ness, brought  to  him  some  food,  which  he  had  not  tasted 
for  many  days,  and  though  he  took  but  little,  that  little 
was  in  his  weakened  condition,  too  much.  As  a  conse- 
quence, the  fever  again  increased  for  some  hours  to  its 
full  force.  The  delirium  returned,  and  with  it,  these 
same  two  likenesses  just  described.  This  time,  how- 
ever, their  stay  was  short,  lasting  perhaps  half  a  day. 
Then  improvement  again  came,  very  gradually,  and 
after  four  or  five  months,  health  was  sufficiently  re- 
gained so  that  the  man  could  resume  his  business, 
though  never  with  his  former  physical  strength.  He, 
however,  continued  a  business  career  of  many  years,  re- 
sulting in  financial  success,  but  realizing  the  oft-proven 
unavailability  of  wealth,  to  confer  true  riches.  During 
all  this  career  the  unsympathetic  young  fellow,  the  Cain 
element,  described  on  the  preceding  pages,  was  his  con- 


158  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

stant  companion  and  co-partner,  though  the  man,  knew 
it  not.  The  influence  of  the  little  fellow,  seemed  not  to 
develop.  Perhaps  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  the  man 
who  was  the  subject  of  this  whole  incident,  is  the  writer 
of  these  pages.  The  soulless  companion  was  the  un- 
trustworthy human  will;  the  base  child  of  Evil;  the  de- 
ceiver of  all  mankind;  the  Cain  that  would,  through 
envy,  murder  his  brother.  The  innocent  little  boy,  as 
now  disclosed,  represented  the  Spiritual  element  within 
man. 

It  would  seem  that  the  suffering  described,  ought  to 
have  turned  him  to  God,  man's  only  real  refuge.  But  no. 

Had  he  heeded  the  "still  small  voice"  of  the  inno- 
cent child,  perhaps  it  had  been  better.  Perhaps  other- 
wise. I  know  not.  The  Spiritual  eyes  of  my  inner  self 
were  again  closed; — to  be  once  more  opened  through 
suffering ! 

Let  none  say  hastily  or  carelessly  that  the  foregoing 
was  merely  the  dream  of  a  delirious  mind.  Though 
you  may  think  so,  you  do  not  know  it,  and  there  is  a 
vast  difference  between  thinking  and  knowing.  This  to 
all.  I  know  it  was  far  more  than  a  dream,  which,  it  is 
claimed  and  generally  admitted,  lasts  but  a  few  minutes, 
and  usually  disappears  like  vapor.  But  very  different 
from  the  disappearing  dream  of  the  sleeper  is  the  vision 
of  truth,  which  is  from  and  of,  the  immortal.  The  dream 
is  uncertain  and  utterly  unreliable;  perhaps  now  and 
then  apparently  correct,  but  far  more  frequently  illusive 
and  false,  as  all  can  easily  remember.  If  you  dreamed 
something  and  it,  as  they  say,  "came  true",  have  you 
not  a  hundred  times  dreamed  of  something  that  did  not, 
or  could  not  occur? 


AN  INCIDENT  159 

Entirely  different,  however,  is  the  vision  of  truth, 
which  comes  through  Spirituality,  instead  of  materiality, 
and  these  two  differ  from  each  other  even  as  light  dif- 
fers from  darkness.  Except  a  man  "be  born  of  water 
and  of  the  Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven.  That  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh;  and 
that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  Spirit."  (John,  3:8.) 

Nevertheless,  let  us  stop  here  for  a  moment  and  con- 
sider. It  is  clear  to  many,  as  the  Bible  teaches,  that  man 
has  human  understanding  (which  often  makes  mis- 
takes) and  a  Spiritual  understanding,  which  is  always 
correct. 

Paul  makes  this  plain.  (Rom.,  7:14  and  8:1-26.) 
Now  if  each  of  these  differing  elements  dream,  may  it 
not  be  that  the  first  named  is  "unreliable"  and  the  sec- 
ond true?  I  make  no  assertion,  but  simply  inquire  spec- 
ulatively.  Who  can  answer?  Who  can  say  yes  or  no? 
Can  anything  be  known  on  this  subject? 

Who  can  with  certainty,  distinguish  the  line  of  dif- 
ference between  "that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  and 
that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit?"  But,  this  we  can  com- 
prehend through  the  words  of  Christ  Jesus.  "God  is 
Spirit!"  Therefore,  this  is  clear;  that  which  is  Spiritual, 
is  of  God, — is  therefore  perfect,  and  can  make  no  mis- 
take. And  so  it  follows  necessarily,  Spiritual  under- 
standing is,  always  has  been,  and  always  will  be,  abso- 
lutely correct. 

This  Spiritual  element  within  man,  though  appar- 
ently dormant,  must  be  awakened  to  action,  and  must 
resume  its  rightful  and  just  control. 

I  love  in  these  days,  to  linger  on  the  remembrance  of 
this  vision  of  my  earlier  life.  In  it,  I  saw  the  Spiritual 


160  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

reflection  of  man's  selfhood.  Perhaps  I  have  nothing 
in  this  present  condition  of  being,  for  which  I  so  fer- 
vently thank  my  Creator,  for  it  seems  more  and  more  "a 
lamp  unto  my  feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path."  (Ps.,  119; 
105.)  With  increasing  clearness  do  I  see  the  light  and 
comprehend  its  glorious  meaning. 

Just  think  of  having  a  vision,  in  which  you  dis- 
cerned, as  companions  by  your  side,  your  human  intelli- 
gence, and  your  immortal  Soul!  And  years  afterward, 
to  comprehend  it! 

No  interpretation  of  this  vision  came  at  that  time; 
no  explanation  of  its  meaning.  That  was  delayed  for 
more  than  two-score  years  before  its  unfolding  began. 
It  is  developing  still,  and  today  is  sufficiently  compre- 
hended so  that  it  is  a  buttress  to  my  faith.  Perhaps  the 
long  delay  has  been  for  the  best.  If  it  had  then  been 
explained,  perhaps  it  would  have  been  less  understood, 
than  in  these  riper  years.  Today,  through  the  experi- 
ence of  "three  score  and  ten"  I  am  better  able  to  com- 
prehend its  meaning. 

The  lesson  is,  that  man's  early  human  life,  is  pure; 
untainted  by  anything  that  defileth.  But  when  that 
quality  which  we  call  reason,  or  the  human  mind,  begins 
to  assert  its  control,  the  higher  self,  is  almost  overcome, 
and  is  dwarfed  into  inactivity.  The  human,  (the  great 
"unreliable")  assumes  command  and  baffles,  and  ob- 
scures the  higher  self.  This  unrighteous  reign  continues, 
until  man's  Soul  (the  higher  self),  revolts  against  the 
usurper,  and  the  Spiritual  or  true  self,  proclaims  its 
freedom  and  conquers  through  the  aid  of  Divine  Power. 

Man's  "own  right  hand"  (human  knowledge)  can- 
not alone  accomplish  this  victory.  It  could  not  in  the 


AN  INCIDENT  161 

days  of  Job.  (See  Job,  40:14  and  41:8.)  These  refer- 
ences are  very  important  and  must  be  apprehended.  By 
them,  any  man  who  is  sincerely  seeking  an  understand- 
ing of  his  Spiritual  self  will  be  wonderfully  aided  and 
guided.  (See  91st  Psalm.) 

Job's  experience  is  like  a  chart  describing  the  chan- 
nel which  leads  to  Spirituality.  In  his  earlier  days — 
Satan  and  his  work,  but  in  his  later  years — the  voice  of 
God,  through  the  Christ. 

Let  men  realize  that  "the  Christ"  is  the  manifesta- 
tion of  God — Good.  The  Christ  walks  by  our  side;  and 
opens  our  understanding;  though  we  recognize  Him 
not.  He  is  in  the  midst  of  us  when  we  have  gathered 
our  divided  self  together;  he  stands  at  the  door  knock- 
ing, and  ready  to  enter  and  instruct.  "He  will  render 
unto  man,  his  righteousness."  (Job,  33:26.) 

He  says  to  mankind  with  the  Voice  of  true  Christi- 
anity, "Come  unto  Me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy 
laden"  (oppressed  with  pain,  sorrow,  suffering  or  sin). 
Listen  to  this  voice — the  voice  of  Spirit, — speaking  that 
truth  which  breaks  your  chain. 

What  was  spoken  to  the  Apostles  by  Jesus, — that,— 
"The  Christ" — is  saying  to  us  today;  for  lo,  he  is  "with 
you  alway".  Consequently,  and  logically,  it  follows ; 
that  His  ever  presence,  is  an  available  support  and  a 
healing  power  now  as  of  old.  Why  not?  Aye — Why 
not? 

Are  His  eyes  closed? 

Can  His  love  be  changed? 

Will  He  not  answer  those  who  call  upon  Him  "in 
Spirit  and  in  Truth"? 


162  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Is  not  "All  Power,"  given  to  Him  now,  as  of  old? 
(Matt.  28:18.) 

Why  not  ?    Aye !  Why  not  ? 

CHAPTER  9. 
Incident — Continued. 

To  those  who  will  carefully  study  the  book  of  Job, 
it  is  a  reservoir  from  which  to  draw  Spiritual  instruction. 
The  writer  has  endeavored  to  study  it  prayerfully; 
which  is  far  more  than  carefully. 

The  great  Desire  of  "the  reasoning  man"  is  human 
knowledge;  while  his  great  Need,  is  Spiritual  under- 
standing. Knowledge  comes  from  and  through  human 
thought,  and  is  the  wisdom  of  this  world,  which  Paul 
declares  "is  foolishness  with  God."  In  the  first,  second 
and  third  chapters  of  his  first  letter  to  the  Corinthians, 
he  describes  and  emphasizes  the  vast  difference  between 
knowledge  (human)  and  wisdom.  He  inherited  and  at- 
tained in  earlier  life  much  of  the  former,  but  the  latter, 
only  came  after  his  marvellous  conversion.  Thencefor- 
ward, till  he  finished  his  course,  he  was  constantly  put- 
ting off  "the  old  man  with  his  deeds"  and  putting  on 
"the  new  man."  That  is,  rising  from  knowledge  to  wis- 
dom, from  that  which  reasons,  to  that  which  under- 
stands; from  the  "carnal  mind"  even  to  the  "Spiritual 
mind."  (Rom.,  8.) 

Truth  is  man's  great  need,  for  "the  Truth  shall  make 
you  free."  This  "Truth"  is  the  pearl  of  great  price.  It 
cannot  be  purchased  with  money.  It  comes  not  through 
intellectual  perception,  but  through  Spiritual  discern- 
ment; and  these  are  opposites.  The  first  will  fade.  The 
latter  endures. 


AN  INCIDENT  163 

I  may  be  presumptuous.  I  may  be  unable  to  see 
clearly.  I  may  "open  my  mouth  in  vain,  and  multiply 
words  without  wisdom."  I  may  be  "darkening  counsel 
by  words  without  knowledge/'  If  so,  I  know  it  not.  God 
knows  all.  And  this  consoles  and  comforts  even  me;  for 
he  knows  the  deepest  motives  of  my  heart.  So  be  it.  I 
am  endeavoring  to  perform  a  duty. 

Please  refer  again  to  the  sketch  and  explanation,  on 
the  two  pages  following  the  title  page  of  this  book,  in 
which  is  illustrated  that  presentation  that  came  dis- 
tinctly and  directly  to  me.  Doctors  may  smile  with 
pity;  theology  may  reject  with  scorn  and  be  disposed  to 
"cast  him  out"  (John,  9:34);  but  "one  thing  I  know; 
that,  whereas  I  was  blind,  now  I  see"  (John  9:25). 
Dawning  light  is  coming,  where  before,  all  was  dark- 
ness. 

The  sketch  is  named  Man's  "Selfhood",  an  unusual 
word,  but  the  most  suitable  I  could  find.  May  it  not  be 
possible  that  in  a  sense,  every  descendant  of  Adam,  has 
his  "Garden  eastward  in  Eden";  in  which  he  is  placed? 
Here  is  "every  tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the  sight,  and 
good  for  food;  the  tree  of  Life  also  in  the  midst  of  the 
garden,  and  the  tree  of  Knowledge  of  Good  and  evil!" 
Trees!  indeed;  Trees! 

Life  is  Eternal!  Life  is  Spiritual!  Life  is  Good! 
Whatever  is  Spiritual  proceeds  from  Spirit  which  is 
God! 

But  Knowledge,  is  a  mixed  up  affair;  a  conglome- 
rate; an  uncertainty.  How  can  there  be  such  a  combi- 
nation as  "good  and  evil"?  These  are  opposites;  for- 
ever ununitable.  Nevertheless,  these  are  figuratively, 
the  trees  that  grow  in  the  garden  of  man's  selfhood, 


164  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

which  the  sketch  is  intended  to  illustrate.  And  in  that 
garden,  also  crawls  the  deceiving  "Serpent",  pretending 
to  be  an  advisor  on  the  subject  of  "good  and  evil". 
(Gen.,  3.) 

This  crooked  monster,  has  been  giving  advice  ever 
since  the  days  of  Adam  and  Eve.  We  all  hear  its  speak- 
ing, and  too  often  its  counsel  is  heeded;  but  all  must  be 
made  to  understand,  that  when  he  speaks  of  evil  he 
speaks  of  himself,  and  he  has  been  a  liar  from  the  begin- 
ning. (See  John,  8:44.) 

Let  us  ask  in  what  manner  does  the  "carnal  mind" 
differ  from  the  fleshly  body?  The  most  distinct  differ- 
ence seems  to  be  that  the  first  is  invisible  to  the  human 
eye;  for  both  are  "of  the  earth  earthy." 

The  young  man  so  ill  in  Nevada  in  1865,  now,  in 
newer  understanding  of  life,  realizes  that  he  was  at  that 
time  so  near  dissolution  that  he  saw  with  sight  more 
than  human,  his  own  selfhood,  with  his  larger  share  of 
"carnal  mind,"  which  is  human,  and  his  struggling  ele- 
ment of  Right,  which  is  Spiritual,  and  yet  he  understood 
not!  "See  ye  indeed,  but  perceive  not."  (Isaiah,  6:9.) 
The  Bible  often  refers  to  this  blindness  and  lack  of  un- 
derstanding. These  "two  or  three"  must  be  "gathered 
together  in  his  name." 

What  is  the  real  meaning  of  these  "two  or  three"? 
The  condition  is  "in  my  name",  and  the  promise  is, 
"There  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them." 

As  commonly  read,  it  seems  to  refer  to  the  assemb- 
ling of  a  small  number  of  individuals.  So !  With  this 
interpretation,  an  isolated  man  (perhaps  the  single  sur- 
vivor of  a  shipwreck  who  found  himself  alone  on  an 
island,  hundreds  of  miles  from  anyone  else),  would  be 
excluded  from  the  benefit  of  this  promise  of  the  Master! 


AN  INCIDENT  165 

May  it  not  be  explained  by  Paul's  references  to  him- 
self; the  "carnal  mind"  and  the  "inward  man"?  If  so,  it 
was  clear  to  Paul,  that  one  of  these  three  was  the  "in- 
ward man,"  which  is  Spiritual. 

Certainly  it  is  obvious  that  the  two  or  three  gathered 
together  does  not  refer  to  two  or  three  persons.  Here 
is  the  plain  lesson.  O  Humanity!  See  to  it  every  one, 
that  the  "inward  man"  be  the  controlling  force  of  your 
inward  and  outward  life  in  every  act,  word  and  thought. 
Only  in  this  way,  can  you  be  enabled  to  realize  the 
meaning  of  that  great  saying  of  the  Master,  "Ye  shall 
know  the  Truth,  and  the  Truth,  shall  make  you  free." 

Old  or  young,  bright  or  dull,  strong  or  weak — high 
or  low — rich  or  poor — "hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of 
water",  whatever  may  be  your  condition,  see  to  it  that 
"love  toward  God  and  kindness  toward  our  fellow  men," 
be  your  governing  motive  and  aim,  in  Spirit  and  in 
Truth.  Then  "the  Christ"  is  in  our  daily  life. 

If  theology  claims  that  revelation  ended  with  the 
days  of  John  and  Paul,  where  is  the  theologian  who  can 
prove  it?  The  writer  utterly  denies  such  a  claim,  for 
disproof  of  it  has  come  through  personal  experience. 

(Read  the  ninth  chapter  of  Isaiah,  especially  verses 
2,  12,  and  17  to  21,  inclusive.)  So  the  war  continued. 

I  was,  indeed,  "in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death" 
when  the  dawning  light  shown  upon  me,  yet  was  I  so 
dull  of  comprehension,  that  I  did  not  understand  it  for 
more  than  two  score  years.  And  why?  Because  I 
listened  to  the  voice  of  evil,  more  than  to  the  counsel  of 
Good.  Evil  led  me  into  darkness  and  then  fought  against 
me,  (see  Lam.,  3:1  to  21,  also  Rom.,  7:23),  though  I 
knew  it  not. 


166  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Evil  was  with  me,  more  potent  than  good.  These 
are  the  opposing  elements  within  every  man.  Evil  is 
what  Paul  calls  the  "old  man",  which  with  his  deeds 
must  be  "put  off." 

Evil  is  entirely  selfish;  full  of  envy,  lust  and  greed; 
is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God;  never  advises  man 
honestly;  has  no  regard  for  his  little  neighbor,  Good;  in 
fact,  constantly  opposes  any  influence  adverse  to  his 
own;  may  perhaps  say,  "Be  honest,  because  honesty  is 
the  best  policy",  but  never,  because  it  is  right.  Now, 
how  could  it  be  otherwise,  since  evil  "is  of  the  earth, 
earthy"?  (1  Cor.,  15:47.)  Evil  flourishes  on  the  trees 
of  knowledge!  .  .  .  Never  on  the  Tree  of  Life. 

But  entirely  different  was  our  little  neighbor!  Pa- 
tient, uncomplaining,  intensely  interested,  hoping  and 
trusting,  he  could  only  utter  with  the  "still  small  voice !" 
Again  I  ask  "How  could  it  be  otherwise?"  His  was  the 
voice  of  Spirit,  which  is  the  ever-present  Christ,  so  oft 
and  so  long  unheeded — yet  the  only  voice  that  ever  has, 
ever  will  or  ever  can  guide  us  to  the  Kingdom  of  God ! 

So  have  I,  in  the  best  words  at  my  command,  de- 
scribed the  vision  so  obscure  to  me  then.  I  had  not  the 
least  idea  of  its  meaning.  Nevertheless,  the  memory  of 
it  remained:  though  perhaps,  at  times,  unthought  of  for 
years. 

Not  until  I  had  passed  the  age  of  three  score  and  ten 
did  I  gain  the  least  comprehension  of  this  vision,  and 
again  it  came  as  before,  through  suffering.  But  of  this, 
more  farther  along.  ( See  Job,  33 : 14. ) 

Whoever  may  read  this  book  will  of  course  form  his 
or  her  opinion  respecting  this  vision;  and  perhaps,  in 
many  cases,  such  opinions  may  be  adverse  to  my  own, 


AN  INCIDENT  167 

which  is  this :  I  believe  that  with  Spiritual  discernment, 
I  beheld  typically,  the  "two  or  three"  that  must  be 
"gathered  together"  in  His  name.  (Mat.,  18:20.)  Hu- 
manly condensed  it  was  "Body,  Mind  and  Soul!" 

To  me,  it  was  truly  a  heavenly  vision;  as  direct  as 
that  described  by  Paul  (Acts  26:13),  and  came  from  the 
same  source.  I  believe  this  source  to  be  entirely  separate 
from  human  reason,  and  far  higher  than  anything  that 
ever  comes  through  human  mentality.  I  believe  that 
the  same  power  that  first  gave  this  vision,  has  preserved 
it  so  distinctly  in  my  memory.  I  believe  I  am  nearer  to 
—that  is,  have  a  better  understanding  of — that  power 
in  my  later  years  (my  seventies)  than  ever  before.  This 
is  witnessed  first  by  a  complete  change  in  my  thought 
and  also  by  promptings  of  a  voice  that  has  come  to  me 
since  this  change,  in  a  manner  that  cannot  be  accounted 
for  through  reason  or  human  knowledge.  This  has  been 
repeated  not  less  than  six  times  so  plainly,  that  I  could 
distinctly  understand  it.  Also  am  I  conscious  of  pro- 
gressive work  within  myself  that  I  do  not  yet  compre- 
hend. For  these  things  I  humbly  and  reverently  thank 
my  God,  the  author  and  giver  of  all  good;  for  He  is  only 
GOOD! 

I  thank  my  Creator  more  and  more,  day  by  day,  for 
a  better  understanding  of  Spirit, — God — Good — ever 
present  Love.  I  am  thankful  for  the  word  of  the  Mas- 
ter when  He  said  "It  is  the  Spirit  that  quickeneth;  The 
flesh  profiteth  nothing;  the  words  that  I  speak  unto  you, 
they  are  Spirit  and  they  are  Life."  "God  is  Spirit." 

Let  us  consider  that  Voice  which  said  unto  David — 
"Because  He  hath  set  His  love  on  me,  therefore  will  I  de- 
liver him :  I  will  set  him  on  high  because  he  hath  known  my 


168  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

name.  He  shall  call  upon  me  and  I  will  answer  him ;  I  will 
be  with  him  in  trouble;  I  will  deliver  him  and  honor  him. 
With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him,  and  show  him  my  salva- 
tion." (91st  Psalm.) 

May  not  this  same  sentiment  be  uttered  by  the 
"Voice"  today  to  thousands  of  human  sufferers?  Aye! 
though  their  human  ears  hear  it  not,  neither  do  their 
human  minds  understand! 

Furthermore,  as  this  revelation  came  to  me  (though 
so  long  uncomprehended),  I  believe  it  comes  in  some 
measure,  to  everyone.  But  "the  darkness  comprehend- 
eth  it  not."  Nevertheless,  there  is  a  "true  Light,  which 
lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world."  (John, 
1:9.) 

Job  "the  much  afflicted"  saw  this  light,  and  even 
now  men  may  see  it  if  they  "ask",  "seek"  and  "knock"  in 
earnestness,  sincerity  and  Truth.  Suffering  promotes 
and  develops  this  condition  of  earnestness.  Therefore 
a  man's  very  "thorns  of  the  flesh"  may  be  productive  of 
blessings,  to  be  finally  understood.  Let  him  not  fear, 
but  trust  in  God,  and  know  that  His  power  is  sufficient 
for  him !  This  is  Faith ! 

In  my  younger  days  I  heard  much  on  what  was 
styled  the  "Gospel  plan  of  salvation"  and  this  I  tried  to 
find  through  the  churches.  Creeds  did  not  seem  clear, 
nor  were  they  made  plainer  by  the  Sunday  sermons  of 
clergymen  who  gave  their  opinions,  freely;  but  not 
always  convincingly. 

During  middle  life,  while  actively  engaged  in  busi- 
ness (success  in  which  was  my  main  object  and  desire), 
I  had  been  a  regular  attendant  in  orthodox  churches. 
While  not  a  member,  I  was  interested  to  an  extent  that 


AN  INCIDENT  169 

made  me  a  church  trustee  for  about  fifteen  years.  Later 
I  became  a  member  of  both  the  Universalist  and  Unita- 
rian churches,  not  an  unusual  thing  for  an  unsatisfied 
Christian.  These  two  denominations  are  commonly 
known  in  this  country  as  the  liberal  churches.  Such  for 
a  time  they  seemed  to  me,  but  in  later  years,  orthodox 
and  liberal  are  not  so  unlike  as  to  justify  any  wide  dis- 
tinction. They  are  all  aiming  to  do  good,  and  just  about 
equal  each  other  in  motive,  loyalty  and  earnestness. 
What  a  pity  that  they  will  insist  on  pestering  themselves 
with  dogmas  and  doctrines. 

Wandering  farther  in  the  "wilderness",  the  cloudy 
maze  of  uncertainty,  Mental  Science  (so-called)  had  at- 
tracted my  attention,  and  was  an  added  experience.  For 
a  time  this  so-called  "science"  seemed  a  helping  hand 
but  finally  proved  not  only  its  utter  inefficiency  to  bene- 
fit, but  its  baneful  influence  for  harm.  I  have  respect  for 
the  doctors  and  for  the  churches,  but  none  whatever  for 
what  is  called  "Mental  Science."  It  is,  in  fact,  mental 
unscience,  which  would  endeavor  to  control  God's  man 
("made  in  His  likeness")  by  and  through  the  man  made 
of  the  "dust  of  the  ground";  whose  breath  is  in  his  nos- 
trils." (See  Isaiah,  2:22.) 

Whoever  depends  on  Mental  Science  (so-called)  is 
starving  in  the  effort  to  sustain  himself  on  unsatisfac- 
tory husks. 

You  cannot  depend  on  your  own  mentality.  Worse 
than  this  is  the  effort  or  willingness  to  rely  on  the  men- 
tality of  a  fellow  mortal.  Mental  science  is  Christian 
unscience. 

I  have  enjoyed  the  companionship  of  many  friends 
in  all  the  various  churches  referred  to,  and  feel  entire 


170  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

good-will  for  each  and  every  one  of  them.  Surely  their 
object  and  effort  is  toward  good;  the  lifting  up  of  hu- 
manity; and  this  glorious  motive,  should  unite  all  Chris- 
tians in  sympathetic  harmony.  Let  rivalry  in  efforts  to 
do  that  which  is  useful  and  right,  and  for  true  religious 
advancement,  take  the  place  of  condemning  or  criticis- 
ing. (See  Rom.,  2:1-4,  also  Phil.,  4:8.) 

How  commonly  and  carelessly  we  speak  of  families 
as  belonging  to  this  or  that  denomination,  as  if  religious 
belief  was  a  question  of  family  birth,  and  so  children  are 
to  follow  parental  legends,  regardless  of  right  or  wrong. 
Such  belief,  burrowing  itself  within  a  childish  mind,  will 
baffle  progressive  Truth.  A  sect  of  Christian  believers 
clings  tenaciously  to  the  opinion  of  some  man,  who 
lived  a  few  years  or  a  few  centuries  ago.  It  is  said  there 
are  a  hundred  and  fifty  (perhaps  more)  differing  sects  of 
Christians.  Each  sect  seems  to  believe  its  own  people  meas- 
urably better  than  any  of  its  rivals,  and  they  estimate  other 
sects  in  proportion  as  they  may  agree  or  disagree  with 
them  in  doctrines,  customs  and  beliefs. 

Nevertheless,  Christ  is  the  foundation  on  which  all 
Christian  churches  are  represented  to  be  built.  By  most 
believers  he  is  regarded  as  a  person,  and  also  while  they 
tolerate  each  other  more  or  less,  the  belief  is  general  that 
the  sect  to  which  the  believer  may  (as  they  say),  "be- 
long", understands  this  person  considerably  better  than 
any  of  the  others. 

One  sect  holds  that  highest  reverence  for  this  "per- 
son" demands  that  he  must  have  a  personal  representa- 
tive here  on  earth,  and  so  they  proceed  to  select  one  from 
a  chosen  few,  any  of  which  are  supposed  to  be  well 
suited  to  the  duties  and  functions  of  Christ  Jesus  if  he 
was  on  the  earth  today! 


AN  INCIDENT  171 

Another  sect  will  believe  that  the  Master  was  the 
highest  type  of  reasoning  man  and  that  their  members 
are  today  notably  better  reasoners  than  any  other  logi- 
cians. These  of  course  see  "Salvation  through  char- 
acter," but  what  they  perhaps  term  "character",  may 
hardly  be  attainable  by  or  to  all,  because  of  environment. 

Some  differ  but  slightly  from  their  neighbors,  while 
between  others  there  seems  strong  antagonism.  More- 
over, most  of  them  make  occasional  changes  in  their 
doctrines.  And  so  it  has  been  for  centuries.  All  cannot 
be  right,  for  strictly  speaking,  there  is  but  one  right. 
Variations  of  doctrines  and  occasional  changes  of  be- 
lief, are  not  satisfactory. 

For  example,  one  important  body  of  Christians  which 
clings  to  the  teachings  of  an  austere  man  who  lived  in 
the  16th  Century,  has  recently  disavowed  belief  in  his 
doctrine  of  "Infant  Damnation",  after  having  defended 
this  cruel  tenet  for  nearly  four  hundred  years.  Can  this 
be  called  satisfactory? 

In  the  past,  what  iniquitous  and  unrighteous  events 
have  resulted  from  the  intolerance  of  one  religious  sect 
toward  another!  Those  who  have  called  themselves  en- 
lightened Christians,  have  persecuted,  tortured  and 
murdered  their  fellow  men,  in  the  belief  that  they  were 
serving  God!  Men  and  women  have  willingly  believed 
that  stealing  from  "heretics",  (i.  e.  those  of  a  differing 
sect),  is  not  sinful.  There  seems  scarcely  a  limit  to 
crimes  that  have  been  committed  under  the  pretense 
(not  the  truth)  of  Christianity.  The  religion  of  kind- 
ness, has  been  lost  sight  of,  in  the  intolerance  and  cruelty 
of  bigoted  fanaticism.  O  that  these  conditions  were  only 
history!  Are  they?  I  dislike  to  write  of,  or  to  remember 
them. 


172  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Let  us  all  try  to  be  fair  and  just,  one  toward  another. 
Fairness  and  justice  are  divine.  Jesus  said,  "By  their 
fruits  ye  shall  know  them."  If  the  prejudice  of 
birth,  or  education,  or  any  other  circumstance  unfits 
us  for  judging  doctrines  and  beliefs,  let  us  look 
to  the  fruits,  for  comparison;  who  is  doing  the  most 
good? 

What  is  somewhat  indefinitely  called  orthodoxy, 
may  not  appeal  to  me,  yet  my  father,  was  a  Presbyterian 
elder  for  about  forty  years.  This  tribute  does  his  oft- 
mistaken  son  pay  to  his  memory:  After  so  many  years 
of  experience,  I  never  knew  a  better  man!  I  never  knew 
one  who  was  more  constant  in  his  faith  and  trust  in 
God!  I  never  knew  a  man  of  better  motives,  or  of  a 
purer  life. 

CHAPTER  10. 

"Twice." 

"God  speaketh  once,  yea  twice,  yet  man  perceiveth  it 
not."  (Job,  33:14.)  This  truth  has  indeed  been  exempli- 
fied. To  me,  chapters  33  and  36  are,  in  the  instruction 
they  give  to  an  erring  mortal,  unutterably  grand. 

In  a  former  chapter  I  have  described  a  severe  illness 
with  its  attendant  suffering.  It  would  seem  that  this 
should  have  been  sufficient  for  one  lifetime.  But  no, 
many  years  later  when  I  had  passed  the  allotted  "three 
score  and  ten"  came  other  forms  of  suffering  and  pain 
not  less  severe  than  the  earlier  experience.  In  the  first  I 
retained  hope,  while  in  the  later  trial,  even  the  door  of 
hope  seemed  closed  and  barred.  Briefly,  I  was  suffering 
from  the  effects  of  disease  which  was  first  observed 
when  I  was  a  little  boy  and  had  given  trouble  periodi- 


TWICE  173 

cally  for  sixty  years  with  a  tendency  to  grow  worse.  I 
was  so  utterly  cast  down  that  not  only  hope — but  even 
desire  to  live — had  passed  away,  and  I  thought  my 
Maker  unjust,  because  my  life  was  not  at  once  destroyed. 
Annihilation  seemed  such  a  simple  solution  of  the  mat- 
ter; and  so  I  declared  man  better  than  God!  (Read  the 
third  chapter  of  Job,  especially  verses  20  and  21.) 

Although  knowing  and  acknowledging  that  good- 
ness had  not  been  my  aim  as  much  as  it  should  have 
been,  what  had  I  done  that  I  should  be  tortured?  Had 
I  not  endeavored  to  benefit  my  fellow  men  rather  than 
injure  them?  Why  did  not  God,  if  He  was  merciful, 
just  blot  me  out  of  existence,  which  single  request  was 
all  that  I  asked?  I  denied  His  kindness,  mercy,  love  or 
justice!  I  thought  and  said;  that  "My  father  or  mother 
were  better  than  this  being  you  call  God,  for  neither  of 
them  would  cause  even  the  vilest  to  suffer  like  this !  And 
if  He  does  not  send  this  torment,  He  permits  it,  which  is 
just  as  bad!" 

More  I  said,  which  I  would  willingly  forget. 

Men  think  they  know  their  wants,  but  where  is  the 
human  being  who  knows  his  needs?  I,  for  one,  have 
never  seen  him.  Certainly  I  did  not  know  my  needs. 

Imagine  a  man  afloat  and  alone  on  the  stormy 
waves !  Imagine  a  man  standing  on  the  roof  of  a  high 
building  from  which  flame  and  smoke  were  pouring 
from  every  window!  Imagine  a  man  in  a  vast  desert 
pursued  by  a  pack  of  hungry  wolves !  Like  these  seemed 
my  condition.  But  "man's  extremity  is  God's  oppor- 
tunity." 

Medicine,  Theology  and  Suggestion  (will  power) 
had,  like  Job's  three  friends,  "stood  still  and  answered 


174  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

no  more."  (Job  32:16.)  Then  came,  like  a  rising  star, 
before  unnoticed,  a  speaker  that  amazed  all,  with  words 
that  to  me,  were  like  the  words  of  Elihu  to  Job:  "the 
voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilderness." 

Mistaken  Job,  as  materialistic  in  his  thoughts  of  God 
as  were  his  three  friends,  believed  that  God  (eternal 
Good)  had  persecuted  him  in  his  mind  and  body.  (Job, 
19:6  to  11.) 

Elihu,  speaking  truth,  says:  "The  Almighty,  we  can- 
not find  him  out:  he  is  excellent  in  power,  and  in  judg- 
ment, and  in  plenty  of  justice:  He  will  not  afflict." 
(Job,  37:23.) 

David  says:  "Like  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so 
the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him." 

But  righteous  and  just  are  the  laws  of  Truth,  and 
that  man  is  blessed,  when  punishment  for  wrongdoing 
overtakes  him,  for  this  is  his  real  need.  "He  is  chas- 
tened with  pain  ....  and  the  multitude  of  his  bones 
with  strong  pain."  (Job,  33:19.) 

Job  had  mistaken  chastening  instruction  for  cruel 
persecution.  And  this  also  has  been  the  mistake  of  count- 
less thousands.  Moreover,  this  mistake  must  be  cor- 
rected, here  or  hereafter,  before  any  shall  be  able  to  say, 
"but  now  mine  eye  seeth  Thee!"  (Job,  42:5).  "The  Lord 
hath  His  way  in  the  whirlwind  and  in  the  storm!"  (Na- 
hum,  1:3.)  This  tempest  is  wholly  within  the  human 
consciousness. 

Job  had  indeed  passed  through  this  developing  and 
purifying  storm.  During  all  his  former  years,  he  had 
been  governed  by  his  own  selfish  mind,  (Behemoth),  and 
this  had  now  been  made  apparent  to  him.  He  saw  this 
superintending  Behemoth,  with  his  mistakes  and  dis- 


TWICE  175 

cords;  his  arrogance,  perversity  and  unrighteousness. 
But  better  far,  he  discerned  and  recognized  his  hereto- 
fore unheeded  and  neglected  Spiritual  self,  and  realized 
that  this  was  the  true  man,  the  enduring  "Image  and 
Likeness".  From  henceforth  his  vision,  his  hearing  and 
his  understanding  remained  through  the  channel  of  the 
higher — the  Spiritual  element — within  him.  "The 
Kingdom  of  God  is  within  you!"  The  glorious  light  of 
this  Truth  now  shone  upon  his  ascending  path.  No 
longer  did  his  faith  "stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in 
the  power  of  God."  (1st  Cor.,  2:5.) 

We  can  now  imagine  Job  as  saying  to  Behemoth — 
"O  thou  pretentious  Unreliable;  be  still;  cease  from  thy 
wandering;  cease  from  thy  folly;  cease  from  thy  plot- 
ting and  planning;  cease  from  anger,  worry  and  dis- 
cord ;  cease  from  strife ;  cease  from  your  efforts  to  control 
us;  yield  to  Spirit  and  be  at  peace.  Let  us  be  gathered 
together  in  His  name  and  there  will  the  Christ  be  even 
in  our  midst.  (Much  is  meant  by  the  word  "Midst!") 
"You  cannot  protect  us,  nor  even  save  your  own  self.  Here- 
tofore you  have  been  to  me  like  the  blind  leading  the 
blind.  You  have  neither  eye  for  guidance,  nor  ear  for 
Truth.  Let  the  'quickening  Spirit,'  the  awakened 
sleeper,  be  in  control.  Then  shall  we  see  the  Light  and 
hear  the  instructing  Voice.  "Then  shall  we  be  satis- 
fied." (Ps.,  17:15.) 

The  "Unreliable"  enters  his  own  hell  by  having  his 
own  way,  and  not  until  he  yields  to  the  control  of  Spirit, 
can  he  escape.  The  Spiritual  element  within  us,  must 
advance  in  strength,  influence  and  effect.  In  no  other 
way  can  regeneration  (the  new  birth)  be  attained. 


176  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

CHAPTER  11. 
Conclusion. 

Here  ends  what  the  writer  has  to  say  of  the  book  of 
Job.  I  believe  myself  justified  in  seeing  a  certain  an- 
alogy between  Job's  experience  and  those  of  other  men 
as  exemplified  in  myself.  Not  that  I  have  yet  attained 
the  elevation  that  came  to  him  through  the  voice  out  of 
the  whirlwind,  but  unmistakable  utterances  have  come 
to  me  from  a  source  higher  than  human  reason.  This 
I  know,  and  no  man,  nor  any  human  combination  can 
take  it  from  me.  I  have  heard  the  voice  of  the  forerun- 
ner and  am  watching  and  listening  for  the  higher  voice 
of  Truth  (John  14:17),  which  comes,  not  through  hu- 
man reasoning! 

The  grandest  instruction  I  have  been  able  to  ob- 
tain from  a  careful  study  of  the  book  of  Job  (and  like- 
wise supported  through  my  own  experience),  is  its 
teaching  of  the  vast  power  which  is  opened  to  man 
through  Spiritual  sight  and  hearing.  The  "voice  out  of 
the  whirlwind,"  "the  thunder  of  his  power/' 

Job  was,  and  is,  a  type  of  the  regenerated  man,  when 
brought  to  an  understanding  of  truth,  when  trans- 
formed by  the  ever-present  Christ,  which  was  "before 
Abraham"  and  "before  the  world  was." 

Through  suffering,  he  had  gone  down  to  a  point 
where  there  were  just  two  paths  before  him.  One  was 
the  broad  avenue,  which  leads  down  "into  the  pit,"  and 
was  plainly  apparent  to  his  human  sense — the  end  of 
his  human  existence.  He  had  gone  down  to  a  point 
where  he  had  lost  all  expectation  or  hope  for  a  con- 
tinuance of  human  life,  or  any  satisfaction  in  such  life. 


CONCLUSION  177 

He  had  even  lost  all  desire  for  a  longer  existence.  (Job, 
3:21  and  22.) 

The  other  was  "the  narrow  way,"  which  is  only  dis- 
cerned Spiritually.  And  just  here  his  Spiritual  eyes 
were  first  opened  by  Elihu  (Job  33:22-24).  Later  came 
the  instructing  voice  of  God,  the  unseen  though  ever- 
existing  and  ever-present  Christ,  which  enabled  Job 
finally  to  say,  "But  now  mine  eye  seeth  thee,  wherefore 
I  abhor  myself." 

He  who  through  pain  and  suffering  is  brought  down 
to  the  pit,  realizes,  that  God  is  his  only  refuge  or 
strength;  as  others,  may  not.  ' 

Like  Job,  men  mistake  instruction  for  persecution, 
until  their  eyes  are  opened  by  the  voice  of  Truth,  which 
is  the  Christ.  To  our  human  understanding,  suffering 
is  not  enjoyable  and  therefore  does  not  meet  our  wants. 
But  if  it  strengthens  our  desires  to  be  free  (from  afflic- 
tion of  any  kind),  does  it  not  make  us  more  earnest,  in 
seeking  for  that  Truth  which  makes  us  free?  Then  it 
is  plain  that  suffering  meets  not  our  wants,  but  our 
needs;  which  are  "absolute  faith  in  God,"  and  "Spirit- 
ual understanding  of  Him."  This  condition  is  the  grand 
transforming  influence  which  is  available  to  all  who  ex- 
perience suffering,  like  or  similar,  to  that  of  Job. 

Paul  had  his  "thorn  in  the  flesh"  and  asked  for  relief 
from  it,  "besought  the  Lord  three  times."  Turn  to  your 
Bible,  my  friend,  and  read  the  answer  he  received.  Then 
he  saw  and  realized  the  supporting  power  of  the  ever- 
present  Christ.  Spiritual  strength,  is  developed  through 
human  suffering.  "There  was  given  to  me  a  thorn  in 
the  flesh,  the  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  me,  lest  I 
should  be  exalted  above  measure.  For  this  thing  I  be- 


178  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

sought  the  Lord  thrice,  that  it  might  depart  from  me. 
And  he  said  unto  me,  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee: 
for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness.  Most 
gladly  therefore  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infirmities 
that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me:  therefore 
I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities/'  "For  when  I  am  weak, 
then  am  I  strong."  (2d  Cor.  12:7-10.)  That  is,  his 
infirmities,  and  the  protection  he  received  which  an- 
nulled their  power  to  harm  him,  was  a  constant  re- 
minder that  the  higher  strength  of  the  Christ,  was  with 
him.  And  from  this  he  was  able  to  write,  "For  I  reckon 
that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time,  are  not  worthy 
to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed 
in  us."  (Rom.  8:18.)  Our  closed  eyes  are  opened  by 
chastisement.  Job's  case  illustrates  this.  Elihu  first 
pointed  it  out  to  him,  but,  the  Christ — the  voice  out  of 
the  whirlwind — compelled  him  to  understand  it!  Such 
things  are  being  repeated  today. 

If  the  Christ,  is  immortal  Good,  from  Heaven  (His 
sphere),  to  the  earthly  man — who  shall  say  it  did  not 
come  in  ancient  days  ?  If  it  came  in  the  man  Jesus  nine- 
teen centuries  ago,  who  shall  say  it  did  not  come 
through  cloud  and  storm  ages  before?  "Before  Abra- 
ham was  I  am."  Who  shall  say  it  comes  not  today, 
through  the  whirlwind  of  affliction?  Verily  "The  wind 
bloweth  where  it  listeth !"  Who  shall  tell  of  "that  which 
is  born  of  Spirit?"  (John,  3:6.) 

Paul's  "thorn  in  the  flesh"  he  describes  as  "a  messen- 
ger from  Satan."  He  did  not,  at  first,  comprehend  the 
benefit  of  suffering,  or  rather  that  condition,  which 
comes  through  suffering.  He  therefore  sought  escape 
from  it.  But  after  the  answer  he  received,  through 


CONCLUSION  179 

revelation,  then  he  realized  that  even  in  the  flesh,  he 
was  protected  sufficiently,  by  Spiritual  power.  "My 
Grace!"  His  need  was  indeed  supplied  from  the  same 
source  that  made  him  immune  from  the  viper's  poison. 
His  continued  "thorn  in  the  flesh" — perhaps  the  fre- 
quent recurrence  of  physical  pain — was  constantly  over- 
come. This  realization  of  Spiritual  support,  made  him 
to  exclaim,  "When  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong!" 
Strong  through  Faith!  Faith,  through  a  comprehen- 
sion of  Spirit — the  ever-present  power  which  comes  to 
a  man  through  the  Christ,  when  man  "seeth"  this  truth. 
So  was  he  protected  from  the  effect  of  this  "thorn  in 
the  flesh,"  as  a  "first  fruit  of  the  Spirit"  while  patiently 
waiting  for  his  complete  healing,  which  his  strong  faith 
told  him  would  certainly  be  established.  (See  Rom. 
8:18;  also  Isa.  64:4.) 

And  why  not?  Is  it  difficult  for  a  sincere  and  earn- 
est Christian  to  realize  that  the  Spiritual  power  which 
helps  him,  can  heal  him?  Aye,  why  not?  Did  not  the 
Master  proclaim  and  explain  the  unlimited  power  of 
Spirit?  Let  us  carefully  ponder  His  teaching! 
Paul's  wonderful  eighth  chapter  of  Romans  will  help 
us.  "It  is  the  Spirit  that  quickeneth,  the  flesh  profiteth 
nothing."  (John  6:63.) 

Man  is  regenerated,  "born  again,"  when  the  Spirit- 
ual overcomes  the  human;  or  "that  which  is  born  of  the 
flesh."  In  this  manner  the  Spiritual  element  within  us, 
which  is  life,  grows  into  a  controlling  force,  which  pre- 
dominates over  the  reasoning  man.  And  this  condition 
brings  us  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  great  Love  of  the 
Creator. 

Let  us  speak,  write  and  think  of  this  Spiritual  ele- 


180  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

ment  within  us  as  the  Soul,  which  is  of  God;  and  is  so 
infinitely  superior  to  our  human,  reasoning  mind.  Let 
us  realize  this  Spiritual  self,  as  that  Truth  given  to  us 
of  God,  through  and  by  the  ever-present  Christ.  Then 
shall  we  understand  that  saying  of  the  Master,  "The 
Kingdom  of  God  is  within  you."  Glorious  declara- 
tion of  the  Son  of  God.  (Luke  17:21.) 

In  infancy  there  is  no  apparent,  distinguishable  hu- 
man intelligence.  Human  knowledge,  develops  as  the 
human  body,  grows.  The  child  has  life  (from  God),  as 
distinctly  as  the  man  of  mature  years,  but  the  human 
mind,  is  like  a  bodily  growth.  Is  it  not  "born  of  the 
flesh?"  Boys  grow  up  as  frequently  with  their  father's 
peculiarities  as  with  resemblance  of  features  or  of  bod- 
ily form  or  strength.  We  may  dimly  comprehend  that 
human  thought  may  have  much  to  do  with  this  "earthy" 
man.  "But  of  Life,  Being — how  little  we  know!"  (1st 
Cor.  15:47-48.) 

Life,  real  Life,  could  no  more  be  comprehended  by 
Darwin  or  Haeckel,  with  all  their  philosophical  reason- 
ing, than  by  you  or  me.  And  ask  you  why?  Read 
Paul's  answer.  "The  natural  man,  receiveth  not  the 
things  of  the  Spirit  of  God:  for  they  are  foolishness  unto 
him:  neither  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are 
Spiritually  discerned."  (First  Cor.  2 :14.) 

Life  is  Spirit !  Spirit  is  God !  Can  Man  "by  search- 
ing (reasoning)  find  out  God?" 

I  am  searching  for  a  place  to  stop,  but  am  reluctant 
to  leave  my  dear  old  friend,  Job,  whom  I  have  learned 
to  love  even  as  an  elder  brother;  and  why  not? 

Irresistibly  was  I  drawn  to  him;  at  first  not  think- 
ing much  on  the  subject,  nor  realizing  that  he  might 


CONCLUSION  181 

take  any  special  interest  in  me.  But  from  simply  bid- 
ding him  an  occasional  good-morning  I  began  to  talk 
with  him  and  consult  him  (through  studying  the  book), 
and  later  to  visit  him  daily.  How  kind  he  was  and  is! 
How  many  instructive  lessons  he  is  giving  me!  From 
first  to  last  I  grew  more  and  more  to  regard  and  to 
revere  him,  as  the  highest  example  of  a  sublimely  grand 
man,  purified  and  exalted,  purged  of  his  dross  and 
finally  demonstrating  Heaven  on  Earth,  through  Reali- 
zation. 

A  grand  illustration  of  that  declaration  of  the 
prophet,  "Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose 
mind  is  stayed  on  Thee!  Because  he  trusteth  in  Thee! 
(Is.  26:3.)  " 

BUT  LISTEN — pardon  me,  only  for  a  few  minutes, 
for  turning  your  attention  to  that  grand  Bible  instruc- 
tor Isaiah. 

In  the  same  chapter  from  which  the  above  quotation 
was  taken  he  says,  "Lord,  Thou  wilt  ordain  peace  for 
us,  for  Thou  also  hast  wrought  all  our  works  in  us.  O 
Lord  our  God,  other  lords  beside  Thee  have  had  domin- 
ion over  us,  but  by  Thee  only,  will  we  make  mention  of 
Thy  name.  They  are  dead;  they  shall  not  live;  they 
shall  not  rise;  Thou  hast  destroyed  them  and  made  all 
their  memory  to  perish.  Thou  art  glorified. 

"Lord  in  trouble;  have  they  turned  to  Thee!  They 
poured  out  a  prayer  when  thy  chastening  was  upon 
them!" 

Ah !  Who  shall  glance  back  two  or  three  thousand 
years  and  report  on  the  early  days  of  Isaiah  ?  Who  can 
say  what  experience  he  may  have  passed  through 
while  dominated  by  these  "other  lords?"  Who  shall 


182  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

describe  these  heterogeneous  tyrants? — or  tell  of  their 
influence? 

This,  all  may  note:  The  later  chapters  of  Isaiah  are 
infinitely  higher  in  reverence  and  in  elevating  influence, 
than  can  be  found  in  the  earlier  chapters.  For  illus- 
trations read  Isaiah  third  and  fourth,  then  turn  to  chap- 
ter fifty-five.  Here  is  progress. 

And  Jeremiah!  The  picture  he  draws  of  himself! 
(Lam.  3.) 

And    Solomon!      In   his    younger    days — his    Song 

In  his  advanced  years,  Proverbs  and  Ecclesiastes ! 
What  a  contrast !  "Young  Solomon,"  was  succeeded  by 
"Solomon,  grown  wiser!" 

"Light  shineth  ('dwelleth')  in  darkness;  and  the 
darkness  (human  reason),  comprehendeth  it  not." 
(John  1:5.) 

Truth  brings  men  into  Light  and  from  the  power  of 
Sin  and  Satan,  unto  Good;  the  only,  living  and  true 
God. 

CHAPTER  12. 

Go  and  See  Job. 

But,  reader,  whoever  you  may  be,  go  and  see  Job 
for  yourself,  and  listen  to  him.  He  is  indeed  a  teacher 
by  Divine  appointment.  His  first  students  were  his 
three  antiquated  old  friends;  his  other  students,  who 
shall  number!  (The  writer  trusts  that  he  is  one  of 
them.)  He  lives  just  over  the  hill,  in  full  view  of  the 
turbid  sea  of  human  mistakes,  is  constantly  at  home, 
and  will  be  glad  to  see  you,  and  is  always  ready  to  talk 
—provided  you  desire  to  listen.  And  you  will  be  sur- 
prised when  you  see  him,  to  find  that  notwithstanding 


GO  AND  SEE  JOB  183 

his  age,  his  form  is  erect,  his  eye  clear,  his  complexion 
ruddy,  his  hair  and  beard  not  white,  but  only  streaked 
with  the  iron  gray  of  maturity,  and  with  a  happy  face 
that  grows  more  kindly  as  you  know  him  longer.  If  he 
mentions  his  suffering  at  all,  it  will  be  only  to  say  he 
is  glad  that  it  came — for  only  through  such  experience 
was  his  stubborn  selfishness  overcome,  and  he  (peering 
through  the  dazzling  Spiritual  light),  enabled  to  see  the 
Power  which  was  regenerating  him — the  ever-present 
(though  humanly  unseen)  Lord  that  hath  His  way  in 
"whirlwind  and  in  the  storm"  of  tribulation. 

He  is  one  of  those  described  in  Revelation  7:14  to  17, 
who  have  washed  their  robes  (Spiritually)  in  blood. 

Before  his  suffering,  he  had  indeed  walked  after  the 
imagination  of  his  evil  heart.  "The  heart  is  deceitful 
above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked;  who  can  know 
it!"  (Jer.,  17:9.) 

He  will  tell  you,  possibly,  more  of  the  Bible  than  you 
may  have  before  observed  or  at  least  comprehended; 
for  he  has  attained  that  Spiritual  understanding — so  far 
above  that  which  grows  upon  the  tree  of  knowledge. 
He  may  not  answer  all  your  questions,  for  he  has  a  way 
of  choosing  for  himself.  But  you  may  be  sure  his  choice 
of  subjects  and  his  manner  of  expression,  will  be  for 
your  best  interests. 

For  example,  taking  up  the  first  chapter  of  Genesis, 
he  will  tell  you  to  read  it  very  carefully,  and  also  include 
the  first  three  verses  of  the  second  chapter.  This  cov- 
ers the  first  account  of  creation,  and  "let  there  be  light," 
was  the  voice  of  God.  By  His  command,  all  things 
were  made,  and,  as  seen  by  Him,  declared  to  be  good, 
and  at  last  "very  good."  (See  also  John  1  :l-2-3.) 


184  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Now  follows  a  second  and  a  widely  different  account 
of  creation,  and  this  variation  has  been  a  stumbling 
block  to  many  earnest  Bible  readers  and  students.  (So 
it  certainly  was  to  me.)  There  are  the  two  opposite 
accounts !  Read  them  and  compare  them.  Certain 
titled  professors,  learned  in  their  ways,  have  attempted 
to  harmonize  these  two  conflicting  narrations  by  say- 
ing that  the  first  is  general  only,  while  the  second  is 
more  specific,  going  into  details  and  particulars.  If 
these  learned  men  can  rest  in  these  opinions  (explana- 
tions which  mystify  and  obscure  rather  than  elucidate), 
there  is  abundant  propriety  in  recommending  further 
and  closer  examination.  If  they  are  able  to  satisfy 
themselves  or  others,  they  certainly  have  failed  to  con- 
vince thousands  of  earnest  Christians  who  are  seeking 
truth. 

But  why  do  I  write  "earnest  Christians"  as  though 
they  included  all.  Intelligent  Jews  are  as  earnest  as  in- 
telligent Christians;  and  their  painstaking  members  are 
students  of  the  Bible,  with  often  a  better  understanding 
of  it  than  many  of  us  who  call  ourselves  Christians,  but 
forget  our  brethren  and  the  Golden  Rule.  Many  of 
them  have  "the  Christ,"  in  mind  and  in  heart;  but  we 
often  forget — all  of  us — and  are  inclined  so  much  to 
say  "thou  fool/'  We  are  all  fools  indeed  when  we  in 
prayer  ask  Divinity  to  change  His  ways  and  arrange 
things  according  to  our  uncertain  and  discordant  plans. 
Such  prayers  are  uttered  in  both  Churches  and  Syna- 
gogues. 

In  my  earlier  days  (looking  through  darkness  or 
mist),  these  conclusions  seemed  plainly  apparent. 


GO  AND  SEE  JOB  185 

1st.  Here  (Gen.,  1st  and  2nd)  the  Bible  gives  two  dis- 
tinctly opposite  statements. 

2nd.     If  one  is  true,  the  other  must  be  false. 

3rd.  Knowing  not  which  statement  to  believe — 
these  accounts  of  creation  were  of  no  value. 

And  still  today,  I  affirm,  that  any  man  who  depends 
entirely  or  mainly,  on  human  reasoning,  as  he  reads 
these  two  accounts,  will  arrive  at  the  same  conclusion. 

But  the  man  who  through  the  experience  of  pain  and 
suffering;  or  through  the  experience  of  revelation;  or 
the  experience  of  exact  study;  or  through  these  three; 
will  be  able  to  understand,  that  the  first  account  is 
Spiritual,  and  therefore  true;  while  the  second  account, 
is  at  its  best  but  a  counterfeit.  The  first  is  of  God, 
Good;  the  second  is  of  Evil,  the  opposite  of  good.  Does 
not  this  account  clearly  for  their  incongruity? 

How  can  the  second  statement  be  anything  but  the 
delusive  and  deceptive  work  of  the  devil?  It  certainly 
has  that  appearance! 

We  will  take  up  briefly  one  item  of  these  two  ac- 
counts— the  creation  of  man. 

In  the  first  account  we  read:  "And  God  said,  Let 
us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness:  So  God 
created  man  in  his  own  image,  in  the  image  of  God 
created  he  him;  male  and  female  created  he  them." 
(Gen.  1:26-27.) 

Consult  your  dictionary  for  the  words,  Image  and 
Likeness.  For  brevity  we  will  use  only  the  latter — 
LIKENESS. 

Jesus  said,  "God  is  Spirit;"  or  "a  Spirit/'  if  you  pre- 
fer. Clearly  then,  the  man  in  His  "likeness,"  the  re- 
semblance of  God,  must  be  Spiritual. 


186  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

1.  Have  mortal  eyes  ever  beheld  Spirit,  or  a  Spirit- 
ual man  ? 

2.  Has  any  mortal  man,  ever  beheld  that  inner  self, 
or  "inward  man"  of  which  Paul  speaks? 

3.  Is  the  human  body — simply  a  material  growth- 
Spiritual,  or  likeness  of  God? 

4.  Is  human,  finite  intelligence — reasoning,  shifting 
and  often  blundering — Spiritual,  or  in  any  way,  the  like- 
ness of  God,  who  is  infinite,  and  perfect? 

5.  Is  the  enfeebled  body  of  a  sick  mortal,  Spiritual, 
or  likeness  of  the  Creator? 

6.  Is  the  uncertain,  or  unreliable,  or  careless,  or 
greedy,  or  covetous,  or  dishonest,  or  vicious,  or  cruel- 
minded  man,  in  any  respect,  the  "likeness"  of  Divinity? 

On  the  contrary,  this  "minded  man"  is  the  culprit 
which  is  named  by  Paul  the  "carnal  mind;"  and  he  also 
declares  it  to  be  "enmity  against  God;  for  it  is  not  sub- 
ject to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be."  (Rom. 
8:7.) 

Generally  speaking,  evil,  even  though  it  may  not  al- 
ways govern,  usually  predominates  in  the  human  mind. 
It  is  always  selfish  and  is  the  parent  of  greed,  cruelty 
and  lust.  It  is  the  "old  man"  which,  with  his  deeds, 
must  be  "put  off !"  Surely  it  ruled  over  me  for  the  most 
of  my  "three  score  and  ten,"  even  though  I  was  not  dis- 
tinctly aware  of  it. 

It  overcame  Eve  and  Adam  and  caused  Cain  to  kill 
his  brother.  It  planned  for  Rebecca  to  deceive  and  for 
Jacob  to  lie,  and  afterward  for  Laban  and  Jacob  to  de- 
ceive, defraud  and  swindle  each  other.  Evil  made  David 
an  adulterer  and  a  murderer!  It  caused  Peter  to  deny 
his  Master!  Imperfect  man,  like  Peter,  does  the  same 


GO  AND  SEE  JOB  187 

today !  It  made  Paul,  even  after  his  wonderful  enlight- 
enment, to  exclaim,  "Oh  wretched  man  that  I  am !" 

Evil  (the  devil),  conducts  its  Satanic  work  through 
its  influence  on  the  human  intellect,  or  what  is  known 
as  the  mind  of  mortal  man.  We  are  in  bondage  while 
this  influence  holds  control  over  us.  Not  until  it  is  over- 
come shall  we  "Know  the  Truth,  and  the  Truth  shall 
make  us  free !"  Evil,  starting  from  nihility,  seems  to  de- 
velop with  the  growth  of  every  child,  as  innocence  prat- 
tles and  toddles  itself  into  wilfulness.  The  child  at 
birth  has  no  thought  of  evil.  There  is  no  evidence  that 
he  possesses  any  of  that  reasoning  capacity,  which  we 
call  human  intelligence.  He  has  life,  as  distinctly  as  did 
Methuselah,  but  his  Life  is  pure.  His  life  is  uncontami- 
nated  by  the  fleshy  mind  (the  great  unreliable)  and  so 
remains  through  the  days  of  innocence.  "Of  such  is 
the  Kingdom  of  Heaven."  Who  doubts  this  statement 
of  the  Master? 

From  whence  comes  this  "minded  man?"  Human 
mind  is  not  life,  nor  of  life,  any  more  than  the  fleshy 
body  is  life;  though  it  seems  to  show  itself  soon  after 
birth.  If  of  human  growth,  it  must  also  have  human  de- 
cay. Call  it  reason,  if  you  prefer,  and  then  define  it. 
Does  there  live,  or  has  there  ever  lived,  two  men  who 
reasoned  alike?  No.  Then  it  necessarily  follows  that 
if  one  man  reasoned  correctly,  all  the  rest  of  humanity 
must  be  more  or  less  mistaken.  Is  it  not  so?  This  is 
why  I  call  reason,  the  "great  unreliable."  It  is  continu- 
ally making  changes  of  belief;  discovering  its  own  er- 
rors; and  perhaps,  while  attempting  to  rectify  them, 
making  other  and  even  more  serious  mistakes.  What 
more  fitting  name  can  be  found  for  this  deviator,  than 
"the  great  unreliable?"  I  find  none. 


188  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Let  us  not  by  any  means  undervalue  reason,  made 
for  our  servant;  but  let  no  man  "bow  down  before  it," 
for  in  so  doing,  he  breaks  the  first  commandment.  He 
dishonors  the  one,  true  and  only  GOD !  This  is  what 
Isaiah  refers  to  when  he  acknowledges,  "Other  lords 
have  had  dominion  over  us/'  Even  so,  dear  old  Isaiah, 
but  probably  you  were  not  worse  than  most  of  us. 

Human  reason  is  only  too  ready  to  be  drawn  into 
companionship  with  evil.  (Remember  Behemoth  and 
Leviathan.)  Who  shall  say  that  the  history  of  evil  (the 
devil),  did  not  begin  with  the  fourth  verse  of  the  second 
chapter  of  Genesis?  Here  begins  the  second  account 
of  creation,  in  which  after  "there  went  up  a  mist  from 
the  earth,"  the  "Adam  man,"  is  formed  out  of  the  "dust 
of  the  ground"  (like  child's  play) ;  and  a  little  later  a 
helpmate  is  made  for  him,  from  one  of  his  own  ribs !  So 
runs  the  description  of  the  Adam  family,  made  in  the 
UNLIKENESS  of  God.  A  cloudy,  unsatisfactory  pair 
of  mortals. 

Now,  this  family,  it  is  stated,  were  put  in  possession 
of  a  home,  free  from  care  or  labor  and  given  all  they 
needed  and  yet  were  unsatisfied.  Fruit  from  the  tree 
of  knowledge,  was  what  they  wanted.  The  serpent 
(Leviathan,  Devil),  gratuitously  informed  them  how 
to  obtain  it  and  also  of  the  great  benefits  resulting  from 
its  possession,  and  humanity  has  been  eating  it  and  de- 
pending upon  the  delusive  promises  of  Satan  ever  since 
— regardless  of  that  Spirit  voice;  which  whispers  to  the 
well  intentioned,  warns  the  careless,  rebukes  falsity,  and 
thunders  to  wickedness — "Thou  shalt  have  no  other 
gods  before  ME !" 

How  vast  and  absolute  is  the  separateness  of  the 


GO  AND  SEE  JOB  189 

man  of  "dust/'  the  extreme  dissimilarity,  of  that  which 
is  firm  and  reliable — when  compared  with  the  man 
"created  in  the  image  of  God !" — Spiritual  man ! 

We,  perhaps,  look  at  and  think  of  (no  offence  now 
—nor  unkindness)  Prof.  Wise  or  the  Rev.  Dr.  Good- 
man or  of  Bishop  Smiley,  as  types  of  excellent  men  and 
mistakenly  call  them  very-spiritual-men.  So !  Job  will 
tell  you  that  he  never  saw  a  representative  of  Spiritual 
man,  until  Elihu  came  to  him.  He  will  also  say  that  the 
really  Spiritual  man,  is  never  seen  by  mortal  eye,  nor 
heard  by  human  ear,  because  he  is  the  likeness  of  God — 
Spirit.  He  will  also  tell  you  this,  that  the  Spiritual 
man,  discerns  the  "True  light  which  lighteth  every  man 
that  cometh  into  the  world;"  "born  not  of  blood,  nor  of 
the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of  man,  but  of  God." 
This  is  the  "light  which  shineth  in  darkness  and  the 
darkness  comprehended  it  not."  Job  will  remind  you 
that  the  human  body  is  of  the  earth  and  is  nourished  by 
the  Earth,  but  that  which  is  of  the  Spirit,  is  Life,  and  is 
of  God.  The  earthy,  is  of  this  little  world.  The  Spirit- 
ual, is  of  the  Universe.  He  will,  moreover,  declare  and 
make  it  plain  that  the  Spiritual  man  (Likeness  of  God) 
has  Life;  while  the  man  of  "dust"  has  only  the  breath  of 
life,"  "breathed  into  his  nostrils."  Isaiah  says,  "Cease 
ye  from  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils ;  for  wherein 
is  he  to  be  accounted  of?"  Did  Isaiah  here  refer  to  the 
reasoning  man — the  great  "Unreliable?" 

I  am  really  anxious  to  stop  and  will  therefore  try 
to  mention  the  name  of  my  elder  brother  but  little  more. 
Just  here  he  seems  to  be  saying,  "In  my  earlier  days, 
like  my  old  friends,  I  sojourned  in  the  "fear  of  the 
Lord."  But  in  my  later  years,  like  my  first  Spiritual 
Instructor,  I  abide  in  the  "Love  of  Good." 


190  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

And  he  can  also  teach  his  visitors  to  know  that  the 
highest  condition  of  Life,  of  which  the  wisest  can  con- 
ceive, is  to  be  governed  by  Spirit. 

If  you,  reader,  will  take  the  advice  of  Job,  drawn 
from  the  experience  of  thousands  of  years  ago,  you  will 
go  to  your  home,  take  up  your  Bible  (or  perhaps  take  it 
down  from  its  neglected  shelf),  and  study  the  two  ac- 
counts of  creation,  until  you  are  able  to  understand  to  a 
tangible  extent,  the  absolute  separateness,  between  the 
Spiritual  man,  and  the  reasoning  man. 

To  understand  the  Spiritual  man,  is  to  understand 
God;  with  new  light. 

Then  you  may  be  able  to  read  and  to  comprehend, 
the  Book  of  Books,  as  never  before.  You  will  realize 
this  saying  of  Jesus;  "That  which  is  born  of  the  flesh, 
is  flesh;  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit,  is  Spirit." 
(John  3:6.) 

Spiritual  man,  alone  can  comprehend  Spiritual  truth. 
Human  reason  is  of  the  earth,  earthy.  (1st  Cor.  15:48.) 

Seek  for  peace:  Job  only  attained  peace  when  the 
Spiritual  element  of  his  nature  gained  the  ascendency 
over  his  carnal  mind. 

And  if  you  will  also  call  upon  Paul,  and  listen  at- 
tentively to  him,  he  will  confirm  and  make  clear  this 
absolute  separateness  between  the  Spiritual  man,  and 
the  reasoning  mind  (which  he  has  justly  named  "Car- 
nal Mind"),  in  "precept  upon  precept,  line  upon  line." 
(Is.  28:10-13.)  Where  is  the  man,  wise  enough  to  com- 
prehend even  this  one  chapter  (28th)  of  Isaiah,  except  he 
absolutely  separates  the  Spiritual,  from  the  (humanly) 
intellectual? 

But  there  are  even  in  these  days,  men  and  women, 


GO  AND  SEE  JOB  191 

who  are  conscious  that  their  present  life,  has  been  "re- 
deemed from  destruction,"  and  that  "Loving  kindness 
and  tender  mercy"  have  come  to  them,  from  Spiritual 
power.  Moreover,  they  have  daily  proof,  of  the  pres- 
ence and  protecting  support  of  that  power!  It  is  an- 
nulling the  cruelty  and  torture  of  pain,  sickness,  sorrow 
and  grief;  and  so  bringing  peace,  "that  peace  which  the 
world  cannot  give." 

Men  write  of  "Natural  law  in  the  Spiritual  world !" 
So !  And  these  are  men  of  good  motives  and  aims  but 
how  mistaken!  One  of  them  who  described  himself  as 
"A  servant  of  the  Lord  Jesus' Christ"  went  so  far  as  to 
describe  "Conjugal  Love  in  Heaven,"  forgetting  the 
words  of  the  Master,  "They  neither  marry  nor  are  given 
in  marriage." 

Job  may  tell  you  of  "Spiritual  law,  in  the  natural 
world;"  for  this  was  the  lesson  that  he  learned  through 
his  own  experience.  He  will  tell  you  that  by  the  open- 
ing of  his  Spiritual  understanding,  he  discerned  a  holy 
and  heavenly  light;  which  in  his  old  condition  of  being, 
had  never  been  apparent — for  this  light  is  never  seen  by, 
or  through,  human  reasoning. 

This  is  "the  true  Light,  which  lighteth  every  man." 
(John  1:9.) 

When  the  Spiritual  element  in  man,  is  the  control- 
ling influence  of  his  being;  his  body  is  free  from  disease 
and  his  human  intelligence  is  purified  through  the  in- 
fluence of  the  ever-present  Christ. 

May  we  not  understand  that  Jesus  "the  man"  was 
the  absolute  embodiment  of  the  Christ?  Human  the- 
ology says  he  was  God !  Jesus  says  he  was  not !  Whom 
shall  we  believe?  "That  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is 


192  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

flesh  — that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  Spirit/' 
(John  3:3-6.) 

The  flesh  includes  human  body  and  human  mind. 
The  Spirit,  includes  Life  and  Spiritual  understanding. 
Ye  must  be  born  again  by  the  "renewing  of  your 
minds."  (Rom.,  12:2.) 

Job  says  to  us  today,  even  to  all  who  earnestly  de- 
sire to  know  more  of  him,  "The  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  absolute  Truth  of  that  message  which  comes  to 
mankind  from  God,  our  Father,  through  Christ,  our 
Saviour,  is  only  discerned  through  the  eye  and  ear  of 
Spiritual  understanding."  Through  this,  he  heard  the 
continuous  voice  of  the  ever-present  Christ  saying, 
"Come  unto  me,"  and  the  promise  "I  will  give  you  rest." 
"Peace!  Be  still." 

And  Job  "continuing  his  parable",  will  say  that  the 
pen  which  traced  the  lines  of  the  first  account  of  Crea- 
tion as  given  in  Genesis,  was  guided  by  the  divine  hand 
of  Spirit !  Of  the  other,  the  second  account,  he  may  be 
silent. 

The  two  accounts  of  Creation  of  man  may  properly 
be  called : 

First;  the  creation  of  Spiritual  man,  forever  blessed 
by  and  of  his  Heavenly  Father,  Good;  and 

Second;  the  narration  of  the  putting  together  or 
making  up  (not  creating)  of  the  unspiritual  man,  the 
Adam-man  who  was  cursed  by  his  father,  Evil. 

Preachers  tell  us  of  "the  Curse";  think  of  it,  "the 
curse".  Whence  came  it?  Of  Good!  Never!  Did  a 
kind,  loving  and  wise  human  father  ever  curse  his  own 
child?  Never!  Does  learned  and  arrogant  Theology 
pretend  to  say  that  an  All-wise  God,  could  curse  His 
children? 


GO  AND  SEE  JOB  193 

How  could  such  a  contradiction  be  possible?  "The 
curse"  never  came  from  Infinite  Good!  Immortal  man 
was  never  cursed;  the  "likeness"  of  God  cannot  be 
cursed;  but  the  "unlikeness",  the  "mortal",  the  great 
"Unreliable"  seems  as  it  were  to  be  always  cursing  him- 
self into  all  kinds  of  troubles,  and  for  these,  he  is  tried. 

I  speak  from  experience! 

What  a  blessed  revelation  to  mankind  is  the  first 
grand  story  of  Creation,  wherein  God  created  all;  "All" : 
the  "Heaven  and  the  Earth";  the  "Light";  "Two  great 
Lights"— "The  greater  Light"  and  the  "lesser  Light"; 
"The  Stars  also" — Stars!  Countless  and  unlimited! 
How  quickly  man  loses  his  human  sense  of  reasoning, 
when  he  attempts  to  comprehend  Creation;  or  Eter- 
nity; or  Space!  It  is  like  trying  to  find  the  extremes  of 
an  endless  straight  line.  How  far  can  we  go?  What  do 
we  behold?  Job  could  only  "look  to  the  Heavens  and 
see;  and  behold— (what?)— clouds."  (Job,  35:5.) 

Job,  though  he  may  have  been  as  we  say,  talented, 
educated,  experienced  and  humanly  wise,  did  not  in  the 
least  comprehend  the  meaning  of  Light;  that  Light 
which  is  forever  first  in  the  birth  of  Creation.  He  did 
not  understand  the  "Two  great  Lights."  He  could  not 
realize,  that  the  "Greater  Light,  to  rule  the  day,"  is  the 
light  of  Spiritual  understanding;  while  the  "Lesser 
light,  to  rule  the  night",  is  but  the  light  of  human  rea- 
son. He  did  not  know  that  "Firmament"  (which  never 
had  a  physical  existence),  typifies  and  represents  a  sep- 
arating veil  which  "divided  the  waters under  the 

firmament,  from  the  waters above  the  firma- 
ment:" That  is,  erring  human  reason,  from  Spiritual 
understanding,  which  is  absolute  Truth. 


194  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

And  this  dividing  veil,  is  spread  out  all  through  the 
books  comprising  the  Bible  and  revealing  the  sacred 
"Word",  which  speaks  to  all  mankind,  but  is  cognized 
only  by  the  Spiritual  ear. 

Spiritual  Truth,  is  the  grandest  Light  that  ever 
shines  into  our  human  existence.  That  was  the  illumi- 
nating power,  that  lighted  the  path  of  John  the  Baptist 
while  he  was  preaching  "in  the  wilderness";  and  pre- 
paring "the  way  of  the  Lord." 

Whoever  wrote  the  book  of  Job  must  necessarily 
have  been  endowed  with  Spiritual  knowledge,  so  far 
above  that  which  is  human.  Only  by  this  could  he  have 
portrayed  such  a  character  as  that  of  Elihu.  And  this 
grand  instructor,  not  only  of  Job  and  his  three  friends, 
but  a  Spiritual  teacher  for  all  mankind,  has  been,  and 
still  is  like  our  Master  "despised  and  rejected  of  men" 
who  "esteemed  him  not."  (Is.,  53:3.)  Is  not  the 
"Prince  of  this  world"  responsible  for  this? 

CHAPTER  13. 
Final 

The  Christian  Scientist  who  reads  this  book,  will 
more  easily  comprehend  its  meaning.  The  writer  was 
brought  down  literally  to  the  grave;  and  was  raised  up 
to  behold  a  new  condition  of  life,  through  Christian 
Science,  which  came  to  him,  even  as  the  awakening 
speech  of  Elihu  and  the  instructing  Voice,  "Out  of  the 
Whirlwind,"  came  to  humbled  and  bewildered  Job. 
(Job:38.) 

This  was  nearly  seven  years  ago.  I  had  for  years 
studied  and  endeavored  to  understand  the  Bible,  but  its 
sacred  pages  were  dim  to  my  imperfect  eyes.  Theology 


FINAL  195 

gave  me  little  or  no  light.  I  revered  and  loved  the  life 
and  character  of  Jesus,  so  far  as  I  could  understand  it; 
and  also  often  read  from  Paul.  The  value  of  the  old 
testament,  seemed  to  rest  chiefly,  in  Psalms,  Proverbs 
and  Ecclesiastes.  I  could  see  little  in  the  books  of 
Moses,  or  the  prophets.  Job  seemed  one  of  the  most  in- 
structive books  in  the  old  testament,  though  its  higher 
meaning,  was  unperceived.  I  had  become  a  member  of 
the  Unitarian  and  the  Universalist  churches,  thinking 
them  in  advance  of  what  is  called  orthodoxy,  and  to 
sum  up,  was  an  unsatisfied  Christian. 

While  in  this  state  of  thought,  I  wrote  three  books 
on  the  subject  of  religion.  The  first,  found  much  fault 
with  creeds  and  the  divided  and  inharmonious  beliefs  of 
the  varying  organizations,  which  make  up  the  most  of 
Christianity;  also  with  the  leaders  and  controllers  of 
such  organizations,  but  not  with  the  members.  The 
second,  was  an  awkward  attempt  to  review  parts  of  the 
Bible;  an  example  of  "darkening  counsel  by  words  with- 
out knowledge,"  (Job,  38:2)  and  was  decidedly  worse 
than  the  former.  The  third,  was  the  result  of  looking 
(superficially)  into  Confucianism,  Buddhism,  etc.,  and 
naturally  enough,  in  the  order  of  climax,  worse  than 
either  of  its  predecessors.  The  three,  taken  together, 
were  not  distinctly  good  nor  wholly  bad,  but  only  illus- 
trated the  tangled  condition  of  unsatisfied  Christians. 
Perhaps  their  number  is  increasing,  for  many  indeed  are 
asking  "why,"  with  more  earnestness  than  ever  in  the 
past.  They  are  not  satisfied  by  unproved  and  uncertain 
assertions,  which  often  conflict  more  or  less,  one  with 
another.  Theology  is  being  called  upon,  to  answer 
questions  as  never  before. 


196  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Permit  me,  my  theological  brother,  for  humanity's 
sake,  to  ask  just  one;  predicating  as  follows: — 

1st.     Jesus  healed  the  sick,  by  Divine  power. 
2nd.     Commanded  his   disciples  also,   to  do   the 
same  and  they  obeyed  him. 

3rd.  He  said,  "He  that  believeth  on  me,  the 
works  that  I  do  shall  he  do  also."  (John  14:12.) 

4th.  Let  us  carefully  consider  Matthew  28th,  be- 
ginning at  verse  18.  "All  power  is  given  unto  me,  in 
heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all  na- 
tions— teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you;  and,  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world",  and  again  he  said,  "If 
ye  love  me  keep  my  commandments."  (John,  14:15.) 

Now  in  all  kindness,  my  brother,  this  is  the  question 
referred  to :  If  Christ  is  "with  you  alway,"  and  you  are 
obedient  to  him,  and  if  you  love  him,  why,  are  you  not 
teaching  us,  even  in  this  age,  "to  observe  all"  his  com- 
mandments; including  healing  the  sick? 

Remember  the  words  of  the  Master  and  forget  them 
not,  "By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 

It  must  be  conceded,  that  Jesus  meant  precisely 
what  he  said;  that  "the  Christ,"  is  as  immutable  as  His 
Father  and  our  Father — His  God  and  our  God. 

Time  changes  not  "the  Christ".  Jesus  proved  the 
truth  of  what  he  taught  by  his  works. 

Why  does  Theology  not  give  the  same  proof;  and  so 
observe    all    his    commandments, — all — not    a    part,— 
ALL! 

The  unsatisfied  Christian,  is  asking  this  relentlessly 
insistent  question.  Is  it  answered?  If  so,  by  whom? 

It  is  related  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  that  on  a  certain 


FINAL  197 

occasion,  when  asked  why  it  was  that  he  had  never 
united  with  a  Church,  he  expressed  his  inability  to  sin- 
cerely accept  any  of  the  special  creeds  submitted  to  him 
and  closed  his  remarks  with  the  words:  "When  any 
Church,  will  inscribe  over  its  altar,  as  its  sole  qualifica- 
tion for  membership,  the  Saviour's  condensed  statement 
of  the  substance  of  both  Law  and  Gospel,  'Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all 
thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind,  and  thy  neighbor  as 
thyself — that  Church  will  I  join  with  all  my  heart  and 
soul." 

Today  Christian  Science  is  following  this  command. 
Today  it  is  the  grandest  teacher  of  truth  in  the  world. 
Today  it  is  to  mankind  what  Elihu  was  to  Job.  Today 
it  is  quickening  its  members  and  all  who  hear  its  voice, 
to  a  greater  love  for,  and  a  better  understanding  of  the 
Bible.  Today  it  is  enabling  them  to  realize,  that  Spirit- 
ual control,  of  the  human  mind  and  body,  is  a  present 
possibility;  through  awakened  discernment  of  the  ever- 
present  Christ,  who  is  "with  you  alway!"  Today  it 
opens  our  understanding  to  the  fact  that  this  Christ, 
so  long  obscured  from  us,  is  the  one  only  Power  that 
heals  and  redeems. 

Today  this  Power  is  reforming  the  sinner  and  heal- 
ing the  sick.  Today  it  is  raising  thousands  of  sufferers 
from  beds  of  pain.  Today  it  is  restoring  sight  to  blinded 
and  weary  eyes.  Today  it  is  enabling  the  lame  to  walk. 
Today  it  is  reclaiming  and  transforming  those  who  have 
been  slaves  to  liquor  and  tobacco. 

Thousands  of  earnest  and  sincere  testimonies  of  all 
these  benefits,  are  repeated  by  grateful  hearts,  in  the 
Wednesday  evening  meetings  in  Christian  Science 


198  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Churches;  and  happy  faces,  verify  the  truth  of  their 
words.  Similar  attestations,  are  published  in  Christian 
Science  books  and  periodicals.  But  the  final  influence, 
which  satisfies  man,  is  that  which  comes  completely 
through  his  own  consciousness.  Therefore,  am  I  happy 
in  saying  I  am  a  Christian  Scientist ! 

Happy  am  I,  indeed,  to  realize  what  Christian 
Science  has  done  for  me;  in  healing  and  protecting  my 
body,  from  pain  and  suffering;  and  in  reclaiming  and 
remoulding,  my  mistaken  human  mind;  through  its 
message  of  Truth  and  Divine  Love. 

Happier  is  every  man,  who  is  brought  to  a  better 
understanding  of  God,  his  Creator;  and  of  the  Christ, 
his  Saviour;  through  this  revived  and  restored  Faith! 

Happy  am  I  in  realizing  in  my  daily  life,  the  benefi- 
cent, sustaining  help  of  the  Divine  Power! 

Happy  am  I  in  witnessing  its  healing  and  redeeming 
effect  upon  others. 

Happy  am  I  in  looking  into  the  earnest  faces  of  hun- 
dreds of  men  and  women,  who  are  today  turning  to 
Christian  Science;  hearing  its  voice  and  longing  to 
know  more  of  its  regenerating  and  uplifting  Truth. 

Happy  am  I  in  the  firm  belief,  that  this  is  the  re- 
stored Christianity  of  the  Master,  which  can  save  the 
world. 

Happy  am  I  in  a  better  comprehension  of  Life,  and  a 
higher  understanding  of  the  teachings  of  the  Bible. 

Happy  am  I  in  realizing  within  myself;  the  blessing 
and  comfort  which  made  Isaiah  to  write — "Thou  wilt 
keep  him  in  perfect  peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
Thee,  because  he  trusteth  in  Thee!" 

These  facts  are  unfolding;  and  growing  more  clear. 


JOB  OF  TODAY  199 

Divine  power,  having  no  limit,  is  available  through 
the  ever-present  Christ;  at  all  times,  when  men  "know 
the  truth". 

The  Christian  ("true  worshipper"),  (John,  4:23), 
must  realize  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  within. 

In  this  Kingdom,  the  supremacy  of  the  Spiritual 
man;  perfect  and  immortal,  must  be  recognized  and 
maintained. 

This,  the  Government  of  Soul,  (Spirit),  will  free  the 
human  mind  from  sin  and  sorrow;  and  the  human  body, 
from  sickness  and  pain.  Thousands  of  illustrations  of 
this  emancipation  are  found  today. 

This  condition  must  be  attained;  now  or  hereafter. 

"The  Loftiness  of  man  shall  be  bowed  down,  and  the 
haughtiness  of  men  shall  be  made  low;  and  the  Lord 
alone  shall  be  exalted  in  that  day."  (Is.  2:17.) 

So  it  has  been;  so  it  is  today;  so  it  will  remain.  Good 
changes  not. 

CHAPTER  14. 

Job  of  Today. 

Let  us  present  a  short  imaginary  dialogue  illustra- 
tive of  a  modern  Job.* 

Scene:  A  sick  chamber  in  a  large  city  house — the 
home  of  a  man  who  was  born  on  a  farm  and  worked 
there  with  his  father  till  he  attained  young  manhood. 
Then  he  went  to  the  city  and,  after  many  experiences, 
became,  say,  at  fifty  years  of  age,  a  successful  business 
man. 

*  Bible  definition  of  Job;  the  much  afflicted. 


200  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Characters. 

1.  John  Smith     (Owner  of  the  house  and  a  sufferer 

from  rheumatic  gout.) 

2.  Rev.  Mr.  Ash  (The  family  minister.) 

3.  Joseph  Beach  (A  country  cousin  and  visitor.) 

4.  Dr.  Cutter      (A    clinic    professor    and    practising 

physician.) 

5.  Mrs.  Smith 

6.  Amie  (A  little  granddaughter  of  the  suf- 

ferer.) 

7.  Jerry  (A  nurse.) 

The  Sufferer — "O,  what  a  miserable  night  I  have 
had.  It  seemed  as  though  morning  would  never  come !  I 
heard  the  clock  strike  every  hour  and  tried  to  change 
my  position  so  many  times !  The  pain  was  bad  enough 
last  night,  but  it  grew  worse  along  about  three !  Jerry, 
put  a  pillow  under  my  right  knee — and  a  pad,  too— 
there — a  little  higher  up — so — not  so  far  out.  O,  do 
you  want  to  break  my  bones?  Lift  up  the  blanket! 
Don't  you  know  I  can't  stand  weight?  There — I'll  try 
that  for  a  while !" 

(Jerry,  with  many  a  "Yes,  sir/'  endeavors  to  follow 
directions.) 

Mrs.  Smith — "Well,  doctor,  he  is  no  better; last  night 
was  the  worst  he  has  had.  I  came  in  a  dozen  times  and 
always  found  him  awake, — and  I  gave  him  his  medi- 
cine regularly  and — (to  the  sufferer).  Yes,  dear,  you 
take  the  medicine  from  the  tumbler  this  time — you 
know  you  took  the  powder  at  nine.  There — three 
spoonfuls — now,  I'll  give  you  some  wine  in  about  half 
an  hour/' 


JOB  OF  TODAY  201 

Dr.  Cutter — "Yes,  and  put  an  egg,  a  raw  fresh  egg  in 
with  it.  We  must  keep  up  his  strength." 

The  Sufferer — "Oh,  yes !  I  know  that — I  am  trying 
all  the  time  to  keep  my  strength." 

Dr.  C. — "That's  right.  Everything  depends  upon 
that.  We  must  depend  somewhat  upon  nature,  and 
strength  is  the  natural  condition  of  the  body.  By  it 
only,  can  muscles,  bones,  nerves,  the  digestive  or  secre- 
tive organs  such  as  the  stomach,  the  liver  and  the  kid- 
neys, perform  their  appointed  functions.  When  we 
come  to  correctly  understand  these  complex  conditions, 
we  know  that  the  entire  organism  of  man  depends  upon 
his  strength.  As  we  are  able  to  build  up  your  strength, 
your  blood  throws  off  its  deteriorating  and  impairing 
influences,  and  improved  conditions — of  the  entire 
anatomical  structure,  is  the  natural  result.  But  let  me 
impress  this  upon  your  mind;  do  not  think  on  these 
things.  Do  not  study  your  own  case,  let  me  attend  to 
that.  True — you  have  looked  into  these  important  mat- 
ters— a  great  deal — and  know  much  about  them ;  never- 
theless I  advise  you  not  to  think  of  these  things,  but 
leave  that  to  me.*  It  is  imperative  that  the  physician 
must  have  his  control." 

Rev.  Ash — "Now  doctor,  I,  of  course,  have  but  little 
knowledge  of  the  scientific  methods  of  curing  disease. 
My  specialty  is  the  rescuing  and  guiding  of  souls.  I 
would  not  for  a  moment  presume  to  speak,  if  it  were  not 
for  the  intense  interest  I  take  in  Mr.  Smith's  case,  as  you 
already  know.  I  have  been  with  him  day  after  day, 
when  I  ought  to  have  been  down  at  my  study  attending 

*This  is  something  like  telling  a  small  boy  that  if  he  will  refrain 
all  day  from  thinking  of  a  red  fox's  tail,  he  will  receive  a  nice  present 
in  the  evening. 


202  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

to  my  sermon.  Often  before  I  come  home  in  the  after- 
noon I  go  to  the  delicatessen  stores  for  some  dainties 
for  him.  Also  I  often  sit  up  with  him  till  2  or  3  o'clock, 
and  occasionally  all  night,  and  my  prayers  have  been 
expressed  for  him  day  by  day  and  night  by  night.  This 
is  merely  alluded  to  as  showing  the  deep  interest  I  have 
taken  in  his  recovery." 

The  Sufferer — Interrupting — "Jerry,  Jerry, — take 
hold  of  my  leg — O,  careful — so — take  out  the  pad  and 
get  the  soft  pillow — so — there!  O,  how  long  will  this 
last?"  (Jerry  complies  with  many  a  "Yes,  sir.") 
"Wife?" 

Mrs.  S.— "Yes,  dear." 

The  Sufferer — "Is  it  not  nearly  time  for  that  wine 
and  raw  egg?" 

Mrs.  S.— "No,  dear,  not  yet." 

The  Sufferer — "I  want  to  turn  on  my  right  side. 
Now,  if  you  friends  will  all  get  on  this  side,  and  take 
hold  of  this  bottom  sheet,  and  pull  it  over  about  a  foot— 
I  think  Jerry  can  turn  me  over."  (All  rise  and  range 
themselves  beside  the  bed,  and  after  much  pulling  and 
tugging  under  the  repeated  cautioning  admonitions  of 
the  sufferer,  and  aided  by  Jerry's  strong  arm,  the  patient 
is  turned  on  his  side.) 

"There,  that  will  do.  Wife,  I  think  you  had  better 
get  the  wine  and  egg — raw  egg — so  as  to  have  it  ready." 

(All  become  re-seated  and  Mr.  Ash  continues.) 

"I  was  about  to  remark,  doctor,  on  account  of  the 
deep  concern  I  feel  for  Mr.  Smith,  I  will  barely  venture 
to  make  a  suggestion. 

"It  seems  to  me  that  the  most  desirable  thing  for 
him  is  a  complete  change  of  environment." 


JOB  OF  TODAY  203 

(Here  little  Amie  walks  inquiringly  into  the  room 
and  after  looking  from  one  to  another  climbs  upon  a 
chair,  her  childish  face  between  curl  papers,  her  feet 
dangling  above  the  floor,  and  listens  attentively  to  what 
is  said.) 

"I  have  known  of  many  recoveries  and  have  been 
greatly  benefited  myself  by  travel  abroad.  Doubtless 
you,  Doctor,  must  know  of  numerous  similar  cases.  My 
idea,  therefore,  is  that  Mr.  Smith  should  take  a  trip  to 
Europe;  and  perhaps  extend  it  to  Egypt  and  the  Holy 
Land.  He  should  be  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Smith  and 
suitable  attendants;  and  should  visit  various  countries 
and  receive  treatment  at  restful  sanitariums,  etc.,  and 
should  not  return  till  he  is  again  restored  to  health, 
though  it  takes  a  year — or  even  more." 

The  Sufferer — "O,  I  have  tried  travel,  and  it  nearly 
used  me  up;  it  left  me  completely  tired  out:  it  did  no 
good — don't  say  any  more  about  travel,  and  hotels,  and 
steamers,  and  sanitariums,  and  visiting.  Out  with  such 
nonsense!  And  this  medicine  stuff,  I've  been  swallow- 
ing for  a  year,  don't  seem  to  be  doing  any  good.  Doc- 
tor, you  may  as  well  quit !  I'm  tired  of  it !  And  I  don't 
want  any  more!  (Half  rising  and  speaking  loudly.)  I 
wish  you  would  all  clear  out  and  let  me  die.  That  will 
be  the  end  of  it!  Travel!  Medicine!  Sanitariums! 
Ugh!" 

Mrs.  S. — (Sobbing) — "Oh!  John!  I  beseech  you 
don't  talk  so !  You  know  how  kind  and  sympathetic  Dr. 
Cutter  is  and  always  has  been." 

The  Sufferer  (Interrupting) — "Sympathy!  Pare- 
goric !  Quinine !  One  about  as  bad  as  t'other !  All  rot !" 

Mrs.  S. — (Continuing) — "We  should  feel  thankful 
to  him  and  follow  his  advice." 


204  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Doctor  C. — "From  the  first  I  have  endeavored  to  do 
my  duty.  On  several  occasions  I  have  suggested  an  op- 
eration but  have  endeavored  to  avoid  it.  I  always  try 
to  avoid  operations,*  except  where  conditions  are  im- 
perative, and  had  hoped  to  succeed  in  this  case  by  the 
use  of  carefully  chosen  medical  remedies/'  ("Rem- 
edies!" is  faintly  echoed  from  the  bed.)  "But  if  Mr. 
Smith  is  unwilling  to  continue  the  use  of  them,  I  un- 
hesitatingly advise  an  immediate  operation."  (Here  fol- 
lows a  learned  dissertation  on  the  numerous  advantages 
which  modern  surgery  mercifully  brings  to  suffering 
humanity  by  the  cutting  of  flesh  and  the  sawing  and 
scraping  of  bones.) 

The  Sufferer — "Why  on  earth  did  you  not  tell  me  of 
this  six  months  ago?  Evidently  you  have  changed  your 
mind — for  then  you  said  I  needed  medicine  and  ban- 
dages. I  don't  believe  your  surgery  is  any  better  than 
your  liniments  and  greasy  ointments !  If  you  only  knew 
what  you  claim  to — but  you  are  a  humbug!  Just  let  me 
alone!  Clear  out!  I'm  tired  of  your  stuff!" 

Mrs.  S.— "Oh,  don't  talk  so  to  the  doctor!  I  beg  of 
you,  John,  do  be  quiet.  You  know  he  is  our  main  reli- 
ance !" 

The  Sufferer — "I  have  had  enough  of  him.  Might 
as  well  rely  on  the  devil !" 

Mr.  Beach — "It  seems  to  me  time,  right  now,  for  me 
to  speak  up.  I've  seen  something  of  rumatiz;  and  I  just 
want  to  tell  you  about  it.  Don't  be  discouraged.  The 
city  is  not  the  only  place  where  they  have  rumatiz. 
Right  in  Squedunk,  we  have  more  than  sufficient  of  it. 

*Doctors  often  say  this  and  seem  to  have  made  themselves  be- 
lieve it! 


JOB  OF  TODAY  205 

My  brother  Robert — Bob  we  call  him — you  know  him, 
John — he  has  had  a  spell  of  it — the  worst  kind,  and  this 
is  what  happened.  I  heerd  about  it,  and  went  over  to 
see  him,  and  he  was  just  a  hollerin'  with  pain.  His  folks 
had  tried  mustard  plasters — and  vinegar  poultices  and 
such — and  they'd  dose  him  up  with  a  plenty  of  boneset 
tea.  But  I  could  see  right  away,  that  wasn't  a  doin'  him 
any  good.  Well,  sir,  it  came  like  a  flash  to  me,  that  I 
had  seen,  down  to  the  store,  an  advertisement  about 
rumatiz,  and  I  went  right  down  there  to  look  it  up. 
There  sure  enough  it  was;  'Dr.  Duzenberry's  Opedildoc 
Liniment  and  Compound  Vegetable  Pills/  There  was 
a  little  pile  of  pamphlets,  on  the  counter.  I  took  up  one 
of  um,  and  began  to  read,  and  in  about  half  an  hour,  I 
learnt  more  about  rumatiz,  than  I  had  ever  heerd  of 
previously  before.  It  just  explained  all  about  it.  Du- 
zenberry  makes  a  business  of  it  you  see,  and  don't  do 
nothin'  else.  Well,  to  be  short,  I  bought  a  bottle  of  the 
liniment  and  a  box  of  the  pills — and  took  one  of  the 
pamphlets,  and  started  for  Bob's  house.  Bob  was  ex- 
pectin  me  for  he  always  counts  on  me  when  he  gets 
into  trouble.  Well,  sir,  I  rubbed  his  jints  with  the  lini- 
ment— Opedildock  Liniment — and  gave  him  the  first 
dose  of  the  pills — Compound  Vegetable — harmless  you 
know — and  he  got  right  to  work  reading  the  pamphlet, 
with  real  interest.  Well,  sir,  for  the  last  month  he's 
been  putting  on  the  Opedildock  outwardly  and  taking 
the  Compound  Vegetable  Pills  inward — and  now  he's 
out  of  doors  and  on  crutches!  (A  long  stony  stare.) 
What  do  you  think  of  that?" 

The  Sufferer — "All   tommy   rot;    patent   medicine; 
mixed  up  by  the  barrel  to  gull  you  countrymen.     Joe, 


206  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

you  don't  seem  to  have  any  more  sense  than  when  you 
was  a  kid !  You  never  had  a  thimbleful  of  brains !  Reg- 
ular squash  head!  Opedildock  and  Pills!  Same  old 
stuff!  Ugh!  It's  all  tommy  rot!  You  just  go  home 
and  take  um  yourself.  Opedildock!  Pills!  Ugh!  Seems 
as  though  I  had  swallowed  a  barrel  of  them." 

Mr.  Beach — "He's  awful  headstrong  and  always  was. 
We  all  knew  that." 

Dr.  C. — "Clearly,  Mr.  Smith  is  losing  confidence  in 
medicine,  therefore  our  only  recourse  is  the  knife  and— 

Little  Amie — (Interrupting) — "Gramma,  can't  God 
make  Granpa  well  ?" 

Mrs.  S. — "Hush,  child,  the  doctor  is  speaking." 

Little  Amie — "The  Bible  says  so,  and  it  says  Trust 
in  God  — and — " 

Mrs.  S.— "Hush,  I  tell  you." 

Dr.  C. — (Continuing) — "And  now  that  this  is  so 
plainly  apparent,  I  would  advise  that  the  operation  be 
not  delayed.  If  Mr.  Smith  had  taken  my  advice,  at  the 
incipiency  of  the  case,  when  I  first  told  him  to  keep  off 
his  feet,  I  might  have  saved  him  from  this,  but  now,  the 
disease  has  so  burrowed  itself  into  the  contiguous 
muscles,  veins  and  arteries,  that  it  is  no  longer  possible 
to  save  the  lower  section  of  the  limb." 

Mrs.  S.— (Sobbing)— "Oh  Doctor!  Doctor!  Mr. 
Ash,  can't  you  help  us?" 

Dr.  Ash — "We  cannot  place  our  human  weakness 
against  the  Divine  Will.  The  Doctor  is  the  one  to  de- 
cide. We  must  trust  to  his  experienced  skill." 

Mr.  Beach — "I  want  just  to  say  a  word  or  two  more. 
It  seems  to  me  too  bad  to  go  to  cuttin'.  If  you  take  his 
leg  off — why,  you  never  can  put  it  on  agin.  Ain't  that 


JOB  OF  TODAY  207 

so,  Doctor?  (No  reply.)  Duzenberry  wouldn't  do  it 
—he  says  so,  right  in  his  little  pamphlet.  If  you'd  a 
called  Duzenberry  into  consultation,  mebbe  things 
would  have  been  better.  (The  Doctor  does  not  venture 
to  use  words  to  express  the  disgust  he  plainly  feels.) 
"And  now  Mr.  Ash,  why  don't  you  'dominies'  get  busy 
and  try  to  do  something  for  a  man's  body,  as  well  as  his 
soul?  If  you  would  only  just  do  something  that  would 
save  John's  leg — why  I  could  understand  that — and 
then  I  might  begin  to  think  more  about  Soul-savin'. 
Ain't  that  plain  horse  sense?  The  Bible  says  Treach 
the  gospel  and  heal  the  sick,'  but  you  'dominies'  don't 
$eem  to  be  doin'  more  than  half  your  business.  I 
haven't  been  goin'  to  Church  of  late,  as  much  as  I  used 
to  do — but  if  I  could  once  see  you  preachers  save  a  man's 
leg — I  think — well,  I'd  just  take  up  church  again.  And 
so  would  lots  of  others ; — wouldn't  they  ?"  (Again  Mr. 
Beach  receives  no  reply,  but  Mrs.  Smith  seems  much 
mortified,  and  Mr.  Ash  wears  the  chagrined  expression 
of  annoyance  and  vexation.) 

Dr.  Cutter — (slowly) — "Mr.  Smith,  are  you  willing 
to  submit  to  amputation  at  the  thigh?" 

The  Sufferer — "Oh,  what  is  the  use?  Give  me  a 
good  big  dose  of  morphine  or  chloroform  and  end  the 
whole  thing.  I'm  tired  of  living;  and  I  see  no  chance 
for  improvement.  I  am  entirely  discouraged  and  want 
you  to  put  me  out  of  my  misery.  Your  medicine  does 
no  good.  Our  prayers  are  unanswered.  Why,  I  know 
not.  I  used  to  believe  that  God  was  righteous  and  good, 
but  now  he  seems  unjust  and  cruel — else  why  does  he 
not  stop  this  torture?  Hell  can't  be  worse  than  this. 
There's  no  more  comfort  for  me  in  this  world!  I'll 


208  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

give  you  a  thousand  dollars  for  morphine  enough  to 
kill  me.  In  that  way,  you  can  make  an  end  of  a  bad 
job.  Death  cannot  be  worse  than  living  in  torture. 
Kill  me,  in  some  way!  I  don't  care  how!" 

Mrs.  S. — "Oh,  John,  I  never  thought  it  would  come 
to  this!" 

(All  are  in  tears;  sobbing  and  sighs  are  the  only 
sounds.  Here  little  Amie  gets  down  from  her  chair, 
runs  to  her  grandpa  and  takes  his  feverish  hand,  the 
tears  coursing  down  her  reddened  cheeks.) 

Little  Amie — "I  love  you,  grandpa.  Amie  loves  you, 
I'll  say  my  prayers,  and  God  will  make  you  well.  I 
know  he  can — and  he  will,  'cause  he's  so  good."  (She 
turns  to  the  three  men,  but  still  holds  the  feeble  hand.) 
"I  don't  like  you  men,  you  don't  love  my  grandpa." 

Mrs.  S. — "O,  yes,  darling!  They  all  love  Grandpa 
and—" 

Little  Amie — (Stamping  her  little  foot) — "They 
don't!  Mr.  Ash  wants  to  send  Grandpa  away!  Doctor 
Cutter  wants  to  take  a  knife  and  hurt  him  awful !  And 
Cousin  Joe  wants  to  give  him  nasty  Dildock  pills.  They 
don't  love  Grandpa  and — and — they  don't  love  God- 
much!" 

Mrs.  S. — "O,  yes,  darling!  We  all  love  God; — you 
don't  know." 

Little  Amie — "Well,  they  don't  'pend  on  him.  They 
never  said  a  word,  about  Him.  They  only  think,  about 
themselves."  (Turning  around  again  she  continues), 
"God  can  help  you,  Grandpa;  and  he  will  'cause  he's 
good.  I'll  go, — and  say  my  prayers, — and  think  of  dear 
Grandpa, — and  we'll  love  God, — and  God  will  make  you 
well." 


JOB  OF  TODAY  209 

Little  Amie  runs  out  and  various  remarks  are  passed 
by  those  present  on  that  astonishing  child.  None  sug- 
gest, or  think  for  a  moment,  that  her  work  will  be  of  any 
benefit  to  the  sufferer.*  But  perhaps  a  seed  is  sown  in 
the  consciousness  of  each  listener.  Who  shall  say? 

Will  this  seed  "fall  by  the  wayside?" 

Will  it  fall  "on  stony  ground?" 

Will  it  fall  "among  thorns?" 

Or,  will  it  fall  on  good  ground? 

"He  that  hath  ears  to  hear  let  him  hear."  (Parable 
of  the  Sower,  Matt.,  Mark  and  Luke.) 

Results. 

The  conference  ends.  The  Pastor  returns  to  his 
study.  The  relative  goes  out  to  attend  to  the  business 
which  brought  him  to  the  city.  The  doctor  goes  to  visit 
other  suffering  patients.  Mrs.  Smtih  looks  for  her  little 
granddaughter  and  finds  she  has  just  finished  her  self- 
appointed  task  of  childish  love,  faith  and  trust. 

What  has  little  Amie  done?  Simply  what  she  said 
she  would  do !  She  has  turned  to  God  with  the  prayer 
of  faith!  The  prayer  of  confidence;  the  prayer  of  "sin- 
cere desire,"  and  of  trust  in  God!  Though  her  words 
"uttered  or  unexpressed"  may  have  been  simple  indeed, 
her  earnest  thought,  full  of  Faith ;  and  free  from  doubt, 
has  had  its  answer  through  Spirit.  The  little  child,  had 
not  yet  come  under  the  domination  of  the  Great  "Unre- 
liable," with  his  bundles  of  doubts  and  fears.  Faith 
was  "seeking  and  finding"  Divine  Power;  though 

""None  saith,  where  is  God  my  Maker" — who  does  so  much  for 
man!  (Job,  35:10.) 

Little  Amie  alone,  has  that  pure  Faith,  which  believes — which 
trusts  in  God  and  which  can  "remove  mountains."  (Matt.,  17:20.) 


210  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

none  of  those  present  realized  this  in  the  slightest  de- 
gree !  But  humanity  may  soon  understand  more  of  this 
Truth;  God  speed  the  Light! 

And  the  sufferer!  He  falls  gently  into  a  quiet  and 
refreshing  sleep,  of  perhaps  several  hours,  unconscious 
of  his  ills.  When  he  awakes,  he  is  absolutely  free  from 
pain — and  this  by  the  aid  given  him  through  the  pure, 
uncontaminated  Spiritual  Faith  of  a  little  child!  One 
of  which  the  Master  said,  "Of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven." 

O,  the  power  of  faith — such  faith  as  is  implanted  in 
the  pure  and  loving  ideas  of  a  little  child! 


Now  a  little  more  of  this  picture  of  a  possible  mod- 
ern Job.  I  am  unable  to  say  that  his  freedom  will  re- 
main a  permanent  condition  in  his  human  conscious- 
ness. I  cannot  promise  him  a  day,  an  hour  or  a  minute. 
That  is  a  question  of  Faith.  Spirit,  has  released  him 
from  bondage.  Will  he  continue — or  will  his  "carnal 
mind"  again  entangle  and  enslave  him? 

Jesus  says,  "If  ye  continue  in  my  word ye 

shall  know  the  truth,  and  the  truth  shall  make  you 
free."  (John  8:31-32.) 

Paul  says,  "If  thou  continue  in  His  goodness." 
(Rom.  11:22.) 

From  my  present  understanding  of  the  teaching  of 
the  Bible  and  of  Truth,  I  believe  that  every  man's  ability 
to  protect  himself  from  the  human  consciousness  of 
pain,  will  be  in  proportion  to  his  love  toward  God;  and 
trust  in  Him. 

"Trust  in  God,"  "Have  faith  in  God!"  said  the 
Master. 


JOB  OF  TODAY  211 

Occurrences  similar  to  this  are  taking  place  even  in 
this  age.  Why  do  men  persist  in  closing  their  eyes  and 
ears  to  Truth  ? 

Perhaps  our  readers  may  some  time  recall  a  case 
or  cases,  that  substantially  parallel  the  foregoing  illus- 
tration. 

If  our  erstwhile  John  Smith  availed  himself  of  the 
lesson  he  received  through  the  work  of  little  Amie,  he 
became  more  a  Christian  than  in  his  earlier  years  and 
more  than  were  his  old  friends;  even  as  Job  rose  in 
understanding  superior  to  his  three  old  companions. 
The  "little  child"  was  his  Elihu-. 

Little  Amie  did  not  do  her  work  through  reason  (the 
great  "Unreliable"),  but  through  her  childish  purity, 
faith  and  love— SPIRIT! 

Jesus  called  a  little  child  and  set  him  in  the  midst 
of  them  and  said,  "Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Except  ye  be 
converted,  (regenerated — born  again),  and  become  as 
little  children,  ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven."  (Math.  18:2-3.) 

Little  children  have  Life,  Spirit,  (Truth,  Love, 
Faith) — and  on  these  they  depend.  Spirit,  guides  and 
leads ;  and  in  Spirit,  they  trust.  They  know  none  other. 

Do  they  think  to  a  controlling  extent  ?  No !  On  the 
other  hand  they  "take  no  thought,"  but  are  full  of  Faith 
and  Love. 

The  Master  set  forth  and  exemplified  the  grand 
power  of  Faith!  James  says,  "The  prayer  of  Faith, 
shall  save  the  sick."  John  says,  "Perfect  love  casteth 
out  fear."  Faith,  is  a  crystal  stream  ever  flowing  from 
perfect  Love ! 

According  to  human  customary  belief,  the  fervent 
prayers  of  his  educated  and  experienced  minister  should 


212  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

have  been  most  efficacious.  Let  the  prayer  of  the  most 
learned,  pious  and  devout  clergyman  that  you  have  ever 
listened  to,  be  placed  in  the  scales  of  Truth  and  com- 
pared with  the  pure  and  innocent  trust  of  a  little  child. 
What  will  the  balance  show?  This!  That  the  child's 
sincere,  believing  Trust — is  the  prayer  that  is  heard 
and  answered;  because  it  is  the  prayer  of  Faith ! 

Aye,  verily;  "Of  such  is  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven"- 
God!     (Math.,  Mark,  Luke.) 

Ask  John  Smith  how  he  was  helped.  (Does  he,  him- 
self, realize  the  Truth?)  Will  he  say  it  was  by  his  Doc- 
tor, (who  wanted  to  carve  him)  ?  Will  he  say  it  was  by 
the  kindness  and  prayers  of  his  pastor,  (who  really 
wanted  to  be  rid  of  him)?  Will  he  say  it  was  by  the 
interest  and  kindness  of  his  relative,  (who  would  have 
brought  him  more  "remedies")?  Or  would  he  have 
pointed  to  the  guileless  little  trusting  child; — who  came 
to  him  with  a  message  of  Love? 

The  writer  believes  absolutely;  that  the  foregoing 
illustration  is  in  no  sense  overdrawn.  Furthermore,  I 
believe  that  if  it  had  been  an  actual  occurrence,  John 
Smith  might  have  been  brought,  through  this  experi- 
ence, to  a  realizing  consciousness  of  the  superiority  of 
Spiritual  power,  over  human  intelligence!  If  this 
brought  him  to  trust  in  God,  and  he  continued  in  that 
trust — there  is  no  power  in  existence,  that  could  prevent 
or  hinder  his  complete  recovery!*.  In  this  belief,  I  am 
supported  by  my  own  severe  trials;  and  their  results. 

*  Perhaps  some  one  may  dispute  this  statement;  therefore  I  re- 
affirm it.  Those  who  limit  their  thoughts  to  material  conditions,  will 
argue  that  someone  might  have  murdered  the  sufferer  and  then  his  re- 
covery would  have  been  impossible.  So! 

Let  us  think  and  compare  a  little  and  this  question  suggests  it- 
self: Is  not  a  man's  existence  more  than  what  we  see  in  his  physical 
body?  And  this:  "Is  not  the  life  more  than  meat?"  Yea  verily, — 
therefore — the  true  healing  of  the  real  man,  depends  in  no  sense  on 
bodily  conditions. 


JOB  OF  TODAY  213 

Where  is  the  Christian  who  could  doubt  the  divine 
power  of  Jesus,  to  heal  such  a  case?  Can  we  not  under- 
stand, that  though  Jesus,  the  man,  passed  from  this 
earthly  condition  centuries  ago, — yet — the  Christ,  is 
with  us  ever! 

Jesus  was  a  man.  Christ  was  and  is  Spirit:  Listen 
to  His  voice.  "Lo  I  am  with  you  alway  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world/'  "A  very  present  help  in  trouble." 
"Fear  not !"  Can  He  be  with  us,  only  as  a  useless  ghost  ? 
Is  not  His  loving  presence,  an  available  blessing  still? 
Is  his  arm  shortened?  Is  His  power  lessened?  Has  His 
love  for  mankind  diminished?  Has  his  promise 
changed  ? 

Is  it  not  more  likely  that  we,  unstable  mortals,  have 
changed?  The  Great  "Unreliable"  is  forever  changing; 
and  must  continue  in  deviating  uncertainty,  so  long  as 
man  trusts  in  man.  It  is  still  as  of  old — "the  blind  lead- 
ing the  blind." 

The  Christ,  of  God,  changes  not;  in  Wisdom,  Power 
or  Love !  Have  Faith  in  God,  Spirit !  Man's  wisdom, 
does  not  class  with  Spirit!  Man  has  accession  to  God, 
only  through  Spirit,  for  Spirit  is  God,  as  truly  as  "God  is 
Spirit."  "They  that  worship  Him  must  worship  Him  in 
Spirit." 

The  spirit  of  a  man  (human  reason)  is  not  the  true 
Spirit.  It  is  not  Life;  nor  of  Life.  Life  is  of  God: — 
Life  is  God;  for  God  is  Life.  Human  reason,  is  not 
Truth.  Truth  is  of  God:— Truth  is  God;  for  God  is 
Truth.  Human  reason  is  not  Love,  nor  of  Love.  Love 
is  of  God;  for  "God  is  Love!" 

Study  the  second  chapter  of  First  Corinthians  till 
you  can  understand  its  meaning.  Then  you  will  com- 
prehend the  truth  of  the  two  preceding  paragraphs. 


214  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

In  God  "we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being.'' 
God's  power  has  helped  you  in  the  past;  God's  presence 
(the  Christ)  is  your  sure  reliance  now;  God's  love,  is 
your  hope  for  the  future !  Have  faith  in  God. 

These  facts  are  clear  to  me,  through  experience. 

First:  The  Christian  Scientist,  sees  a  light  far 
brighter  than  he  ever  saw  before,  "a  light  from  Heaven, 
above  the  brightness  of  the  sun." 

Second:  He  reads  the  Bible  more  than  in  his  former 
days,  because  of  a  better  comprehension  of  its  sacred 
pages. 

Third:  He  rejoices  in  a  higher  understanding,  of 
the  teachings  of  the  Master.  He  sympathetically  re- 
ceives and  utilizes,  the  writings  of  Paul  because  they  are 
proved,  in  his  own  experience. 

Fourth:  He  realizes,  that  Spiritual  control,  both  of 
his  human  intellect  and  his  body,is  a  present  possibility; 
because  in  his  own  consciousness  exists  the  proof;  as 
when  the  blind  man  comprehended  that  he  could  see. 

Fifth:  By  his  work  he  is  proving  his  faith.  He  is 
aiding  in  reforming  the  wrongdoer  and  restoring  the 
sick. 

Christian  Science  is  giving  to  the  world  the  light  of 
truth.  A  glimpse  of  this  light ;  "above  the  brightness  of 
the  sun,"  has  been  one  of  my  glorious  experiences. 

Some  time  ago  I  was  called  over  the  telephone  by 
the  president  of  one  of  our  local  Banks  (who  had  ob- 
served a  little  of  the  healing  work  of  Christian  Science) 
and  he  asked:  "Who  is  the  best  Christian  Science  Healer 
in  the  City?" 

Probably  this  question  has  been  asked  many  times— 
for  it  must  be  important.  Everyone  wants  the  best 


JOB  OF  TODAY  215 

"Doctor" — (who  has  ever  seriously  discovered  him?) 
—for  even  Doctors  disagree,  as  we  all  know. 

But,  though  I  was  unable  to  answer  the  question  by 
giving  a  name,  let  us  here  say  of  Practitioners :  It  is  that 
one  who  best  follows  and  exemplifies  the  Christian  Life. 
It  is  that  one  who  has  the  most  Charity — which  is  Love. 
It  is  that  one  who  is  most  unselfish.  It  is  that  one  who  is 
most  earnest  in  desire  for  doing  good.  It  is  that  one 
who  is  pure  in  thought,  (as  are  little  children).  It  is 
that  one  who  is  most  free  from  "envy,  hatred  and  mal- 
ice." Read  James,  1 :27. 

And  if  your  practitioner  indicates  by  word  or  deed 
a  feeling  of  unkindness  toward  anyone,  that  practitioner 
ought  not  to  retain  your  confidence. 

Let  us  suppose  that  on  the  day  following  the  scene 
already  described,  the  same  persons  should  agfain  meet 
in  the  same  room.  There  is  also  present  Mrs.  True,  a 
younger  sister  of  Mrs.  Smith,  who  has  just  arrived 
from  the  great  Western  Metropolis,  where  there  are 
probably  more  Christian  Scientists  than  in  any  other 
city  in  the  world. 

Mrs.  Smith  describes  what  happened  the  day  before 
and  Mrs.  True  recognizes  it  as  an  example  of  the  "heal- 
ing power  of  Spirit;  God;"  and  does  what  she  can  to  ex- 
plain this  in  words. 

Dr.  Ash. — "I  suppose  this  is  that  "ism"  which  you 
call  by  the  name  of  Christian  Science,  which  is  based 
upon  the  wild  ideas  of  a  deluded  and  misguided  woman 
who  imagined  she  was  a  prophet,  and  endeavored  to  set 
herself  up  as  a  person  wiser  than  the  great  students  and 
teachers  of  theology.  We  frequently  read  in  the  papers 
of  the  day,  accounts  of  the  way  her  adherents  are  inter- 


216  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

fering  both  with  the  work  of  the  churches  and  the 
practice  of  the  medical  profession.  Members  of  my 
congregation,  who  had  been  fervent  believers,  have  been 
enticed  away,  or  permitted  themselves  to  be  drawn  from 
the  truth,  by  this  strange  and  unwholesome  delusion. 

"I  have  a  nephew — as  promising  a  young  man  as 
you'd  wish  to  see,  except  that  as  a  boy,  he  was  through 
hereditary  influences,  not  very  strong.  He  was  natu- 
rally subject  to  very  severe  colds.  He  wandered  away 
into  this  modern  delusion  which  is  doing  so  much  injury 
to  mankind.  Well,  it  so  happened  that  about  this  time 
(probably  as  an  effect  of  the  medical  remedies  he  had 
been  using  during  nearly  all  his  life),  he  became  physi- 
cally much  stronger.  His  complexion  was  greatly  im- 
proved, his  chest  broadened  out  and  he  was  less  liable 
to  take  cold  than  formerly.  All  this  was  plainly  on  ac- 
count of  the  improved  condition  of  his  stomach — just  as 
Doctor  Barnacle  had  foreseen  and  predicted.  Any  rea- 
soning man,  any  man  or  woman  of  sense,  could  easily 
understand  this.  But  I  am  sorry  to  say  this  clever 
young  man,  my  own  nephew,  has  become  so  infatuated 
with  what  he  calls  "Spiritual  healing"  that  he  has  ac- 
tually become  a  member,  an  active  member  of  what  is 
called  a  Christian  Science  Church!  I  have  repeatedly 
remonstrated  with  him  but  all  to  no  purpose.  Why,  he 
even  sometimes  laughs  at  me!  Think  of  it!  He  even 
goes  so  far  as  to  quote  Bible  texts  to  me!  Bible  texts— 
to  a  theological  graduate  who  has  studied  the  Bible 
professionally,  even  in  the  original  Greek,  for  so  many 
years!  Isn't  it  remarkable?  Such  presumption!  He 
occasionally  quotes  from  a  book  they  call  'Science  and 
Health.'  Well,  one  day  I  went  over  to  a  library  and  ex- 


JOB  OF  TODAY  217 

amined  one  of  these  books  for  myself.  An  hour's  ex- 
amination was  quite  enough.  I  read  from  many  pages 
throughout  the  book — and — well  there  is  no  sense  to  it. 
On  my  way  home  I  met  Rev.  Mr.  Stern — not  of  our 
church  it's  true — but  a  man  who  is  admittedly  a  deep 
Bible  student.  He  had  also  made  an  examination  of 
Christian  Science  similar  to  my  own.  We  were  of  one 
mind  on  this  subject.  We  perfectly  agreed  that  there  is 
neither  Christianity  nor  Science  in  this  new  "cult"  and 
that  it  is  fraught  with  danger  to  the  Churches  and  to 
mankind.  There  is  no  precedent  for  it.  Roman  Cath- 
olicism condemns  it.  Calvin  -would  have  opposed  it. 
Luther  would  have  opposed  it.  Wesley  would  have  op- 
posed it — even  Channing  would  have  been  able  to  see  its 
absurdity.  All  the  old  lights  of  religious  history,  have 
handed  down  records  that  will  plainly  condemn  such 
utterly  undoctrinal  teachings.  And  more,  the  ablest 
clergymen  of  our  day,  stand  like  a  solid  wall  against 
this  impious  and  blasphemous  heresy!" 

Mrs.  True — "I  have  heard  it  called  blasphemy  be- 
fore, but  this  does  not  in  the  least  disturb  one  who  has 
experienced  the  good  results  of  its  Truth." 

Dr.  Ash — (Flushed  with  anger) — "Truth?  What  do 
you  know  about  truth?  Dr.  Cutter,  is  not  this  disgrace- 
fully outrageous?  It  is  an  insult  to  call  this  heresy 
Truth." 

Dr.  Cutter — "Perhaps  it  were  better  to  be  cool  and 
to  look  at  conditions  calmly  and  quietly.  I  used  to  feel 
about  as  you  do  concerning  Christian  Science.  Many 
patients  have  left  me  through  its  influence.  I  used  to 
say,  'They'll  come  back.'  But  they  do  not,  to  the  ex- 
tent I  had  anticipated.  I  cannot  quite  understand  that 


218  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

so  few  return.  There  seems  little  or  no  common  sense 
behind  it,  but  I  must  admit,  that  I  frequently  meet  these 
same  former  patients,  whose  appearance  shows  plainly 
that  they  have  attained  results  I  did  not  expect.  When 
my  busy  season  is  over,  I  propose  to  look  into  the  mat- 
ter. In  all  fairness,  I  cannot  agree  with  you  in  unre- 
served condemnation.  There  may  possibly  be  some- 
thing in  it,  that  may  be  of  interest  and  even  advantage, 
to  the  medical  profession." 

Dr.  Ash — "Doctor,  you  astonish  me!  Are  you  also 
growing  crazy  over  this  pestilential  atrocity?  'Some- 
thing in  it!'  You  will  find  that  the  Devil  is  in  it  and 
nothing  else — purely  the  work  of  the  Devil!  It  is  hell- 
ish !  I  am  amazed !" 

Dr.  Cutter — "Now,  Doctor,  be  calm,  and  please  don't 
misunderstand  me.  It  is  a  duty  for  medical  men  to  look 
into  everything  that  in  any  manner  pertains  to  health; 
and  therefore  I  propose  to  examine  it  thoroughly.  I  of 
course  agree  with  you  in  the  belief  that  it  is  probably 
heinous,  but  we  should  be  thorough  and  go  to  the  bot- 
tom, in  order  to  uproot  it.  The  medical  profession 
must  do  this,  as  a  matter  of  self-defense.  Pardon  me  for 
saying  that  your  investigation  seems  to  have  been  rather 
superficial  and  incomplete.  My  vacation  of  a  month  will 
soon  begin  and  I  intend  to  devote  that  time,  or  most  of 
it,  to  looking  into  the  operation  of  this  so-called  'Spir- 
itual power'  which  Christian  Scientists  claim  is  so  dif- 
ferent from  what  is  known  as  will  power.  I  propose  to 
investigate  this  book,  Science  and  Health.  I  have  it 
now,  but  have  hardly  looked  into  it." 

Mrs.  True — "If,  Doctor,  you  carry  out  your  inten- 
tions with  an  earnest  desire  for  the  Truth,  it  is  safe  to 


JOB  OF  TODAY  219 

say  you  will  know  that  Spiritual  power  and  so-called 
'will  power'  are  utterly  averse  to  each  other.  And  you 
may  learn  that  these  are  the  two  great  Lights;  the 
glorious  light  of  'Spirit/  and  the  dim,  uncertain  light 
of  Human  Reason,  which  is  often  in  the  shadow  of  the 
earth  as  it  moves  and  revolves.  "  (Gen.  1:16.) 

The  Sufferer — "I  don't  know  anything  about  these 
theories  and  beliefs,  or  how  they  may  affect  a  man  in 
my  condition ;  but  this  I  can  swear  to :  Yesterday,  after 
you  all  went  away,  I  had  a  real  good  nap;  and  I've  been 
feeling  some  better  ever  since;  last  night  I  rested  better 
than  I  have  for  six  months.  Mrs.  True  says  this  is  a 
demonstration  of  what  Christian  Science  stands  for;  the 
'healing  power  of  Spirit.'  This  isn't  at  all  clear  to  me, 
but  I  want  some  more  of  it,  even  though  I  don't  under- 
stand. Mrs.  True  says  this  is  through  little  Amie.  I 
don't  know — " 

Mr.  True — "I  said  it  was  through  Faith; — through 
the  pure  consciousness  of  a  little  child." 

Mrs.  Smith — "Amie,  come  to  grandma,  up  on  my 
lap — so — Now  tell  me  what  you  did  yesterday  after  you 
left  grandpa?" 

Little  Amie — "Why — I  just  said  my  prayers." 

Mrs.  Smith — "What  prayers?    What  did  you  say?" 

Little  Amie — "Why — I  just  said  now  I  lay  me — 
Our  Father — and — now  I  wake  up  and  see  the  light — 
and — God  make  grandpa  well — I  knew  He  could,  and 
would."  (After  this  long  speech,  Amie  hides  her  face 
and  will  say  no  more.) 

Dr.  Ash — "I  thought  that  was  about  all  it  amounted 
to.  It  fully  confirms  my  first  impression;  the  little, 
simple  attempt  of  an  uninstructed  childish  mind.  Now, 


220  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Mrs.  True,  do  you  pretend  to  tell  us  that  such  imperfect 
praying  as  this  could  help  a  man  with  rheumatic  gout?" 

Mrs.  True — "Prayer,  real  prayer  involves  more  than 
words.  Faith  is  the  foundation  and  the  grand  essential 
quality  of  prayer.  Jesus  says:  'Become  as  little  child- 
ren/ These  have  real  faith.  Faith  does  not  come  of 
human  reason  which  'is  foolishness  with  God/  Human 
reason  would  stain  and  obscure  Faith  and  render  it  of 
no  effect.  Human  reason  would  baffle  Faith.  Doctors 
consider  themselves  wise!  Preachers  endeavor  to  be 
prudent!  Both  'mix  up  doses  and  roll  up  pills/  There 
is  close  resemblance  in  the  methods  of  the  'wise  and 
prudent/  But  the  little  child  has  what?  Not  wisdom 
or  prudence,  but  faith!  Aye,  Faith!  Which  of  these 
gain  the  ear  of  Spirit?  Let  me  ask  you  to  read  the  21st 
verse  of  10th  chapter  of  Luke." 

(Dr.  Ash  opens  the  Bible  and  reads.) 

"In  that  hour  Jesus  rejoiced  in  Spirit,  and  said,  I 
thank  Thee,  O  Father,  Lord  cf  heaven  and  earth,  that 
Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent, 
and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes:  even  so,  Father; 
for  so  it  seemed  good  in  Thy  sight." 

(Dr.  Ash  rubs  his  spectacles,  again  looks  over  the 
verse  and  gives  a  pondering  whistle  behind  closed  eyes.) 
(Mrs.  True  takes  the  Book,  turns  to  15th  verse  of  the 
5th  chapter  of  James  and  reads.) 

Mrs.  True — "  'The  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick, 
and  the  Lord  shall  raise  him  up;  and  if  he  have  commit- 
ted sins,  they  shall  be  forgiven  him/  Is  not  this  scrip- 
ture very  plain  and  direct  ?  Can  you  not  believe  it  ?  The 
prayer  of  faith — " 

Dr.  Ash — "Of  course  I  believe  it;  of  course  I  believe 


JOB  OF  TODAY  221 

it;  I  preach  it;  and  I  endeavor  to  practice  it; — but, — 
that  was  under  the  old  dispensation;  and  it  would  not  be 
applicable  to  this  case,  or  to  these  times.  The  world  has 
made  great  advances  since  those  primitive  days.  Those 
unenlightened  ancients  had  no  established  and  reliable 
medical  system,  as  we  have  in  this  advanced  age.  Am  I 
not  correct,  Doctor?" 

Dr.  C. — "Well,  to  be  candid,  I  must  say  I  do  not 
know.  There  are  more  doctors,  more  books  and  more 
medical  colleges  of  one  sort  or  another — good,  bad  and 
indifferent.  We  also  have  more  and  handsomer  drug 
stores;  an  increased  variety  of  medicines;  more  instru- 
ments and  mechanical  contrivances — some  good,  some 
bad — but  when  it  comes  to  results,  we  don't  seem  to  be 
accomplishing  any  more  than  was  done  a  hundred  or  a 
thousand  years  ago !  We  are  often  discovering  new 
forms  of  disease — unheard  of  before.  We  inoculate 
against  one  disease  and  by  the  same  process,  multiply 
others.  We  deal  with  disease  more  than  with  health. 
We  think  we  know  more.  I  often  become  disgusted 
with  many  of  the  propositions  I  read  of,  in  the  medical 
journals,  and  am  often  disappointed  in  my  own  prac- 
tice. If  a  man  says  that  medicines  do  more  harm  than 
good,  I  cannot  disprove  it!  For  example,  morphine  will 
temporarily  allay  pain,  but  its  subsequent  effects  are  al- 
ways detrimental  and  sometimes  will  place  a  man  in 
slavery.  Though  I  am  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  it 
fails  to  satisfy  me.  If  there  is  such  a  thing  as  "Spiritual 
power"  which  can  heal  the  sick,  I  should  like  to  know 
it,  for  it  seems  to  me,  that  to  understand  it,  would  be 
the  highest  attainment  that  a  man  could  reach — it  would 
be  more  satisfactory  than  prescriptions  of  drugs  and  so 


222  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

forth — but  (consulting  his  watch)  I  have  an  important 
engagement  and  must  say  good  bye/'  (Exit.) 

Dr.  Ash — "It  does  seem  to  me  as  though  the  world  is 
growing  insane  over  this  new  'ism'.  I  have  heretofore 
regarded  Doctor  Cutter  as  an  intelligent  man,  but  I 
give  him  up.  A  'month'  to  study  such  an  abominable 
book!  I  can  only  account  for  this  on  the  basis  that  he 
is  losing  his  mind,  or  is  completely  deceived.  How 
much  better  it  would  be,  if  he  would  spend  his  vacation 
in  studying  and  even  experimenting  with  various  kinds 
of  physic !  Then  he  would  be  working  in  his  own  field. 
But  I  fear  he  may  be  led  away  and  perhaps  become  as 
bad  as  my  nephew.  Lost — lost — lost!  The  world 
seems  to  be  going  from  bad  to  worse !  Just  think  of  it ! 
Even  physicians,  seem  infected  with  this  iniquitous 
malady." 

The  Sufferer — "Well,  doctor,  you  may  be  right,  but 
on  the  other  hand  you  do  not  quite  convince  me.  I  have 
been  an  attendant  and  a  supporter  of  our  Church  for 
many  years,  have  listened  to  sermons  and  prayers  and 
they  seemed  to  benefit  me;  but  I  wonder  why  I  am  not 
satisfied;  I  wonder  why  the  Churches  do  not  seem  able 
to  meet  the  necessities  of  mankind.  I  thankfully  ap- 
preciate your  kindness  and  know  your  earnestness,  both 
in  your  prayers  and  in  your  sermons;  but  I  do  not  see 
the  light!  There  is  something  lacking.  I  gain  no  un- 
derstanding: My  faith  in  the  doctors  and  in  the  preach- 
ers seems  to  be  vanishing.  They  seem  only  Vanity  and 
vexation  of  Spirit.'  My  own  attempts  to  pray  seem 
utterly  ineffectual.  They  bring  no  relief." 

Dr.  Ash — "O  I  am  sorry — sorry  indeed  for  a  man 
who  loses  his  faith." 


JOB  OF  TODAY  223 

The  Sufferer— "Faith ! . . . Faith ! . .  .What  is  faith?   I 

try  to  grasp  it,  but  it  is  like  trying  to  clutch  the  air. 
Nothing  remains.  Can  I  gain  faith  in  medicines 
through  their  failures?  Can  I  gain  faith  through  my 
prayers,  or  those  of  my  minister  and  my  friends,  when 
they  seem  unanswered  day  after  day  and  month  after 
month?  Is  there  to  be  expected  any  encouragement 
from  these  repeated  disappointments  and  failures?" 

Dr.  Ash — "Persevere!  Persevere!  The  Bible  says, 
'Pray  without  ceasing !' ' 

The  Sufferer — "Doctor,  we  read  a  little  while  ago — 
'The  prayer  of  faith  shall  save  the  sick.'  This  word 
'Faith'  stands  out  before  me.  'Faith !'  Mrs.  True  says 
I  have  been  helped  by  the  'pure  Faith  of  a  little  child!' 
I  w^ould  like  to  comprehend  this.  I  know  I'm  better — 
but  I  don't  see  how  it  came  about — 'prayer  of  Faith' — 
I  don't  recall  that  I  ever  uttered  such  a  prayer,  since  my 
mother  kneeled  me  down  and  tried  to  tell  me  about  God ! 
I  really  had  faith  then,  but  it  soon  got  away  from  me 
and  I've  never  known  it  since.  I  really  believed  then 
that  God  lived  in  Heaven,  which  was  far  away — up 
above  the  sky,  for  so  I  was  told  and  so  I  believed. 
'Faith!'  'Faith!'  I  had  it  then,  even  as  little  Amie  has 
it  now.  'Faith!'  Today  I  seem  to  see  something,  of  its 
long  lost  shadow — but  I  seem  to  be  in  a  foggy  mist.  An 
anxious,  kind  and  loving  face  as  it  were  before  me,  but 
the  frowning  and  cruel  faces  of  doubt  and  fear  on  either 
hand.  Mrs.  True  tells  of  Spiritual  power  and  Spiritual 
man  and — " 

Dr.  Ash — "Certainly!  Certainly!  That  is  what  I 
have  been  endeavoring  to  explain  for  so  long.  But  this 
must  come  through  intellectual  perception." 


224  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

The  Sufferer — "Spiritual  power,  has  never  yet  been 
explained  to  me.  It  seems  somehow,  closely  united  with 
faith.  Faith!  Surely  I  had  more  of  it  when  a  little 
child,  than  I  have  ever  had  since.  It  has  indeed  been 
growing  less. 

"Reflection  makes  me  ask — are  the  physicians,  or 
even  the  preachers,  giving  me  faith?  If  not — why  not? 
Why  do  they  have  so  many  differing  theories  and  opin- 
ions? Why  change  them  from  time  to  time?  Do  not 
changes  indicate  doubt — rather  than  faith?  Can  a  man 
who  is  himself  in  doubt,  inspire  faith  in  others?  Does 
our  own  reasoning,  give  us  faith?  If  you  reason  out  a 
conclusion  that  is  convincing  to  you — can  you  know  that 
your  conclusion  will  satisfy  your  neighbor?  Will  the 
conclusion  of  your  neighbor  be  proof  to  you? 

"Questions  like  these  multiply  themselves  in  the 
thoughts  of  a  man  lying  in  pain  and  suffering.  I  have 
tried  to  avoid  them — but  they  will  spring  up.  I  am 
looking  for  Faith!  I  do  not  find  it  in  human  reason,  nor 
through  the  operation  of  human  reason.  I  have  faith  in 
life,  because  I  am  conscious  of  existence.  I  have  faith 
in  truth,  because  truth  can  make  no  mistakes.  Faith 
then  exists.  It  cannot  come  from  the  fleshly  body.  Mrs. 
True  says  it  does  not  come  from  or  through  the  human 
mind. 

"Jesus,  the  Christ,  always  one  with  Life  and  Truth, 
said,  'God  is  Spirit/  He  also  said,  "The  Kingdom  of  God 
is  within  you/  Then  Spirit  must  be  within  me — and 
through  this  alone  can  I  attain  this  Faith,  which  for  so 
long  a  time  I  have  sought.  I  am  unable  to,  as  we  say, 
'reason  it  out.'  This  idea  of  'Spirit'  is  new  to  me.  'The 
Kingdom  of  God  within  you!'  What  does  it  mean?  He 


JOB  OF  TODAY  225 

who  truly  comprehends  and  realizes  this  has  a  rock  on 
which  his  faith  can  stand. 

"I  know  I  have  been  helped;  how,  I  cannot  describe. 
Mrs.  True  declares,  it  is  through  the  faith  of  a  little 
child!  I  want  to  know  more  of  this!—  —Faith!" 

Dr.  Ash — "Mr.  Smith  I  will  appeal  to  you  as  your 
friend;  not  as  your  pastor  only,  but  as  an  old  and  tried 
friend  of  many  years.  Do  you  consider  it  just  to  prefer 
the  unfounded  assertions  of  Mrs.  True  to  the  realities  I 
have  been  so  earnestly  endeavoring  to  set  before  you  for 
so  long  a  time  ?  Is  it  right  ?  Is  it  wise  for  you  to  forsake 
the  true  Church,  for  a  delusive  'ism' — and  all  through 
the  presumption  of  a  silly  woman — an  unthinking 
woman — who  has  apparently  been  deluded  by  another 
misguided  and  meddlesome  woman?" 

Mr.  Smith — "I  am  searching  for  Faith !  I  am  starv- 
ing for  Faith !  I  am  asking — and  seeking — and  knock- 
ing for  Faith!  That  Faith  which  stands  'not  in  the 
wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God!''  (1st 
Cor.  2:5.) 

Dr.  Ash — "Do  you  expect  to  find  it  by  going  into 
the  barren  deserts  outside  the  established  Church?  I 
have  for  years  been  earnestly  endeavoring  to  increase 
your  faith  even  as  my  own." 

Mr.  Smith — "Yes!  Yes,  Doctor,  I  appreciate  your 
kindness  and  the  motives  which  actuate  you  in  your 
labor.  It  is  not  for  me  to  question  your  faith.  But  this 
I  will  say:  I  fail  to  see  proofs  of  it.  The  Bible  says, 
'Faith  without  works,  is  dead.'  What  evidence  is  there 
that  your  faith,  is  more  firm  than  even  mine?  You  seem 
to  offer  only  an  ineffectual  faith;  and  this  does  not  sat- 
isfy me." 


226  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Dr.  Ash — "O,  generation  of  vipers !" 

Mr.  Smith — "You  have  just  offered  me  your  most 
kindly  advice:  do  you  think  I  am  your  friend?" 

Dr.  Ash — "In  the  past,  I  have  had  no  reason  to  doubt 
it." 

Mr.  Smith — "Permit  me,  then,  to  make  a  suggestion. 
It  seems  to  me  that  the  last  twenty-four  hours  have  been 
the  most  important  of  my  life,  through  what  I  have 
heard  and  what  I  have  read,  in  explanation  of  the  re- 
lief that  has  surprised  me.  Mrs.  True  believes  that  I 
have  received  and  am  receiving  benefit,  that  is  a  first- 
fruit  of  the  'prayer  of  Faith!'  Is  there  any  better  solu- 
tion?" 

Dr.  Ash — "It  ought  to  be  clear  to  you,  that  the  rem- 
edies you  have  been  taking  since  Dr.  Cutter  last  changed 
your  medicine,  is  just  now  having  its  effect.  What  could 
be  more  natural  or  more  reasonable?" 

Mr.  Smith — "That  may  be  satisfying  to  you.  Here 
are  the  facts.  Medicines  have  brought  continuous  dis- 
appointment. Here  is  an  unlookedfor  improvement.  I 
know  I'm  better,  for  today  I  have  but  little  pain.  Here 
is  an  explanation  which  is  not  disproven.  Let  us  ex- 
amine it  with  the  assistance  of  one  who  has  learned 
something  of  its  blessings.  Mrs.  True  loaned  me  this 
book  (taking  it  up  and  reading)  'Science  and  Health, 
with  Key  to  the  Scriptures.'  By  Mary  Baker  Eddy. 
Last—" 

Dr.  Ash — (Interrupting) — "The  work  of  evil,  by  the 
child  of  the  devil." 

Mr.  Smith — (Continuing) — "Last  night,  I  read  the 
author's  preface  and  it  gave  me  a  very  different  idea  of 
her,  from  what  I  had  formerly.  This  morning  I  care- 


JOB  OF  TODAY  227 

fully  read  the   chapter  on  prayer — the    first    chapter 
and—" 

Dr.  Ash — (Again  interrupting) — "Why,  Mrs.  Eddy 
never  prays,  she  disbelieves  in  prayer!" 

Mr.  Smith — "Doctor,  if  you  are  my  friend,  please  be 
quiet  and  listen  to  the  voice  of  a  friend.  I  have  heard 
of  'the  prayerless  Mrs.  Eddy'  and  thoughtlessly  believed 
the  imputation.  I  now  realize  to  an  extent,  from  her 
own  words,  what  really  is  her  concept  of  prayer,  and 
how  it  differs  from  that  which  I  have  held  from  child- 
hood. I  will  not  attempt  to  go  into  particulars,  but  this 
I  will  say :  I  have  never  read,  in  all  my  life,  so  concise  a 
statement,  on  any  subject,  as  that  embodied  in  the  first 
chapter  of  this  Book — the  chapter  on  prayer,  I 
would  like  to  read  the  first  paragraph — Mrs.  True, 
won't  you  please  read  aloud  the  first  paragraph  of  the 
chapter  on  prayer?" 

Mrs.  True — "Pardon  me  for  declining.  Dr.  Ash  does 
not  want  to  hear  it  and  it  is  not  wise  to  press  it  upon 
unwilling  ears." 

Mr.  Smith — "Well,  Doctor,  I  propose  to  read  and 
examine  this  book  in  a  careful  and  impartial  way.  Mrs. 
True  says  that  no  Christian  objects,  nor  can  object,  to 
Christian  Science  and — " 

Dr.  Ash— "What?  What?  You  yourself  have 
heard  me  condemn  and  denounce  it  from  my  pulpit. 
Does  Mrs.  True  mean  to  insinuate  that  I  am  not  a 
Christian?" 

Mrs.  True — (Smiling  with  good  nature) — "By  no 
means,  Doctor.  By  no  means.  Pardon  me  also  for  say- 
ing, you  have  never  condemned  Christian  Science — you 
have  only  condemned  what  you  have  supposed  it  to  be. 


228  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

Pardon  me  again  for  saying  kindly  but  firmly:  it  is  not 
just  to  condemn  without  examination. 

"Mr.  Smith  is  going  to  study  it  with  an  awakened 
interest.  Doctor  Cutter  expresses  his  intention  of  giv- 
ing most  of  his  time  for  a  month  to  investigating  the 
book  'Science  and  Health.'  You  have  scarcely  looked 
into  it !  Yet  you  condemn  it !  Is  this  just  ?" 

Mr.  Beach — "Now  I  barely  wish  to  say  a  word  or 
two.  You  know  I'm  goin'  back  home  today  and  it's 
gittin'  along  toward  train  time.  Now  when  I  came  down 
to  the  city,  I  was  intendin'  to  buy  a  book  like  one  of  my 
neighbors  has,  called  'The  Universal  Family  Physician', 
to  take  home — and  he  claims  there's  a  power  of  good  in 
it.  He  says  it's  about  as  good  as  havin'  a  doctor  right 
in  your  own  house. 

"Now  there's  no  comfort  in  payin'  a  doctor's  bill.  If 
you  buy  a  chair,  or  a  stove,  you  can  pay  for  that  and  be 
cheerful — 'cause  you've  got  something  for  your  money. 
But  a  doctor's  bill — why  it's  like  payin'  damages  for 
bein'  hit.  I'd  like  to  cipher  out  some  way  of  keepin' 
away  from  doctors. 

"We've  got  two  doctors  up  in  Squedunk,  now.  You 
recollect  old  Doctor  Podgers — John? — Well,  he's  there 
yet.  Same  old  grey  mare — same  old  saddle  bags  !  He's 
a  calomel  doctor.  Then  there's  Dr.  Green;  he's  a  young 
homeopath.  Dr.  Podger's  patients  call  him  a  young 
humbug  and  say  his  medicines  don't  amount  to  nothin'. 
As  far  as  I  can  see,  people  die  just  about  as  much  with 
one  as  t'other. 

"But,  I  want  to  tell  you  what  happened.  Last  night 
after  John  quit  reading,  I  borrowed  that  book  from  Mrs. 
True,  took  it  to  my  room  and  read  in  it  till  nigh  about 


JOB  OF  TODAY  229 

midnight.  I  read  that  same  chapter  you  were  speaking 
about,  the  chapter  on  prayer,  and  I  call  it  sound  sense — 
best  I've  ever  seen.  I  read  a  lot  more  without  under- 
standin'  much,  but  it  seems  to  deal  wonderful  with 
health  of  body  and  health  of  mind,  through  trust  in  God. 
Thinking  about  this,  I  used  to  pray  that  God  would  do 
certain  things  according  to  my  notion.  Dominies  are 
doin'  the  same  today.  Praying  that  changes  us,  and  our 
plans,  and  leaves  Him  to  arrange  His  own,  seems  to  be 
more  regular,  to  my  way  of  ciphering 

"Well,  I  went  down  right  after  breakfast  and 
bought  a  'Science  and  Health  •;'  and  I'm  intendin'  to 
study  it  without  prejudice  and  to  leave  out  the  Medi- 
cine book  for  this  year.  Well — I  must  hurry  along  to 
catch  my  train.  Good-bye,  John — you're  lookin'  easier 
than  you  were  and  no  mistake.  Good-bye."  (Exit.) 

Dr.  Ash — "It  is  amazing!     It  passes  understand- 
ing!    The  attention  and  interest,  shown  in  that  book 
—what  can  be  the  cause  of  it?     Mrs.  Smith,  you  have 
not  yet  expressed  your  thoughts  on  this  subject?    Are 
you  also  deserting  me?" 

Mrs.  Smith — "O  no,  Doctor,  not  deserting;  I  am 
wondering  and  trying  to  account  for  the  improved  con- 
condition  of  my  dear  husband.  In  the  past,  I  have  had 
many  disputes  with  my  sister.  She  is  so  much  younger, 
that  I  thought  she  should  yield  to  my  judgment.  She 
would  be  so  positive !  I  would  get  out  of  patience  with 
her — she  would  only  laugh — then  I  would  forbid  her 
ever  daring  to  mention  Christian  Science  to  me  again. 
But  today,  as  I  see  what  a  relief  has  come  to  this  suf- 
fering home,  I  find  no  way  of  accounting  for  it  so 
clearly  as  the  explanation  given  by  my  sister.  She  has 
been  right;  and  I  have  been  wrong!" 


230  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

(Here  Mrs.  Smith — her  eyes  filled  with  tears- 
breaks  down  completely  and  going  over  to  her  sister, 
throws  her  arms  around  her — unable  to  speak — but 
sobbing  with  the  humility,  yet  with  the  joy  of  a  grate- 
ful heart.) 

Silence  reigns.  (The  clergyman  uses  his  handker- 
chief, but  presently  finds  his  voice.) 

Dr.  Ash — "This  is  remarkable!  Indeed  remark- 
able !  I  want  to  be  fair !  Have  I  been  hasty  and  incon- 
siderate? I  want  to  be  liberal — yes,  liberal;  but  there 
are  many  men  who  consider  themselves  liberal  but  real- 
ly are  not.  Am  I  one  of  them?  Can  this  be?  Hy — Hy! 
Well-a-day!  I  am  puzzled!  (Again  he  whistles.)  Mrs. 
True,  how  is  it  that  your  people  speak  always  with  such 
positiveness,  on  this  subject  of  healing?" 

Mrs.  True  (smiling) — "Why  that  question,  Doctor, 
is  an  easy  one  to  answer.  Most  of  them  have  been 
benefited  in  some  way,  through  Christian  Science,  and 
there  is  no  evidence  so  strong,  as  that  which  comes 
through  one's  own  experience.  When  one  who  has  en- 
dured suffering  for  perhaps  years, — has  exhausted  the 
skill  of  physicians  and  sanitariums  and  then  has  been 
healed,  or  benefited,  through  Christian  Science — to 
him,  I  say,  it  is  distinctly  a  demonstration  of  'The 
Spirit  and  of  power', — his  faith  thereafter  does  'not 
stand  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in  the  power  of  God.' 
(1st  Cor.,  2:4-5.) 

"The  faith  of  those  who  have  been  thus  relieved  of 
physical  or  mental  suffering,  corresponds  to  that  of  the 
blind  man,  described  in  the  9th  chapter  of  John." 

Dr.  Ash — "Such  comparisons  shock  me !  Sacrilege ! 
Blasphemy!  How  can  you  dare  to  draw  a  comparison 


JOB  OF  TODAY  231 

between  this  modern  invention  and  the  ancient  works 
of  Jesus?" 

Mrs.  True  (Quietly)— "Why  not?" 

Dr.  Ash — "Because  of  its  iniquity  and  wickedness. 
Did  not  Jesus  die  almost  two  thousand  years  ago?" 

Mrs.  True — "Jesus,  grandest  of  men,  yes: — Christ, 
the  Son,  one  with  Father,  lives — is  with  us  alway — and 
is  available  today.  'Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway/  is  not  a 
declaration  to  be  ignored  or  set  aside.  Jesus  exempli- 
fied the  Christ.  But  the  Comforter, — the  ever-living 
'Spirit  of  Truth/ — is  ever  with  us  in  presence  and  in 
power.  Proofs  of  this  are  made  manifest  today.  The 
14th  of  John  is  one  of  the  great  chapters  which  sustains 
this  grand  truth,  of  the  ever-presence,  of  Spiritual 
power."* 

Dr.  Ash— "  'Spiritual  Power!'  'Spiritual  Power!' 
Why  should  I  not  be  better  able  to  understand  this, 
than  one  so  young,  my  junior  by  so  many  years?  I 
have  from  youth  been  studying  the  Bible,  preaching 
the  word  and  fighting  the  Devil.  How  can  Spiritual 
Power,  be  explained  in  any  way,  so  well  as  through  the 
careful  methods  of  Theology?  How  have  you  attained 
a  knowledge  of  'Spiritual  Power'?" 

Mrs.  True  (laughing)— "The  little  that  I  know  of 
Spirit,  has  resulted  from  the  teachings  of  Christian 
Science  and  from  receiving  so  many  benefits,  through 
this  power.  Experience  gives  proof.  You  just  now 
referred  to  my  youngish  appearance:  My  sister  will 
tell  you,  that  I  appear  now  much  younger  than  ten 

*'The  spirit  of  truth;  whom  the  world  cannot  receive,  because  it 
seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth  him:  but  ye  know  him;  for  he  dwelleth 
with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you."  (John,  14:17.) 


232  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

years  ago — when  I  wore  glasses  and  was  supposed  to 
be  a  victim  of  consumption.  Gloomy  forebodings  are 
now  only  memories  of  the  past." 

Dr.  Ash — "Tell  me  more  of  the  particulars  of  this 
change — and  how  Christian  Science  has  any  connec- 
tion with  it?" 

Mrs.  True — "Pardon  me  for  declining  this,  as  un- 
necessary. You  glanced  into  our  text-book  to  only 
find  fault  with  it;  and  seemed  to  find  what  you  expect- 
ed. Pardon  me,  Doctor,  for  relating  a  little  story 
which  perhaps  may  here  be  applicable. 

"An  old  farmer  one  evening  about  dusk  directed 
his  twelve-year-old  son  to  take  a  message  to  a  neigh- 
bor who  lived  a  half  mile  or  so  up  the  road.  The  boy 
hesitated  and  did  not  want  to  go.  'What's  the  reason?' 
asked  the  father.  'I  don't  want  to  go  through  that 
piece  of  woods/  replied  the  son.  'Why?'  the  father 
asked.  I'm  afraid  I'll  see  a  ghost.'  'Well,'  replied  the 
father — 'If  you  are  looking  for  a  ghost  you'll  be  likely 
to  see  one,  or  perhaps  a  whole  family  of  'em.' ' 

(This  brings  from  Mr.  Smith  an  uncontrollable 
paroxysm  of  hearty  laughter — the  first  he  has  enjoyed 
in  many  months — and  makes  him  entirely  oblivious,  of 
the  torturing  pains  of  rheumatic  gout.  In  this  he  is 
quickly  joined  by  the  happy  voice  of  Mrs.  Smith  and 
soon  by  that  of  Dr.  Ash  himself,  who,  however,  soon 
finds  his  words  and  his  kinder  nature.) 

Dr.  Ash — "I  must  admit,  Mrs.  True,  your  anecdote 
hits  me  fairly,  as  a  righteous  rebuke.  I  have  been  look- 
ing more  for  evil,  in  this  book,  than  for  good.  It  is  a 
plain  duty  to  investigate  before  passing  judgment.  I 


JOB  OF  TODAY  233 

propose  to  obtain  a  copy  and  give  it  a  careful  examina- 
tion from  preface  to  conclusion,  looking  for  good. 

"Your  reference  to  the  'Two  great  Lights'  as  refer- 
ring to  Spiritual  Truth  and  Human  Reason,  is  to  me 
a  new  view.  I  must  look  into  it." 

Mrs.  True — "Oh!  Well — regarding  the  'two  great 
lights'  of  which  I  spoke  to  Dr.  Cutter,  I  make  no  posi- 
tive assertion,  but  prefer  to  say  that  the  account  may 
easily  be  said  to  symbolize  Spiritual  light  and  the  Light 
of  reason. 

"No  one  can  speak  positively,  but  they  seem  to  re- 
semble Truth  and  reason.  Perhaps  you  may  find  this 
suggestion  of  some  use  as  you  study  the  account.  No 
one  can  know  (certainly  I  do  not),  none  should  be  too 
assertive,  but  suggestions  like  this  may  be  of  value.  It 
may  be  plain  that  the  account  of  the  Exodus  from 
Egypt,  is  more  important  as  allegorically  representing 
man's  escape  from  the  bondage  of  Evil,  than  as  a  physi- 
cal occurrence.  The  last  five  verses  of  the  book  of 
Exodus  tell  of  a  'cloud/  an  obscuring  Cloud  that  pre- 
vented Moses,  etc.  Does  not  a  cloud  prevent  us  of  today 
from  fully  understanding  the  grand  truths  of  the 
Bible?" 

Dr.  Ash — "It  certainly  does.  I  shall  think  more  on 
this  subject  than  heretofore." 


In  such  an  examination,  we  leave  our  case  to  that 
jury  which  is  made  up  of  the  grand  aggregation  of  im- 
partial Christians — now  so  rapidly  increasing — who 
are  looking  for  the  Light  of  Spiritual  Understanding, 
as  described  in  the  9th  verse  of  John's  first  chapter. 


234  JOB  AND  HIS  FRIENDS 

These  four  men,  the  erstwhile  Sufferer,  the  honest 
Doctor,  the  frank  and  plain-speaking  relative,  and  the 
prayerful,  earnest,  kind  but  somewhat  biased  Minister, 
are  now  taking  up  the  study  of  Christian  Science.  What 
they  will  learn  will  depend  chiefly  upon  their  earnest- 
ness,— upon  the  strength  of  their  desire.  To  read  the 
Bible,  is  one  thing — to  study  the  BIBLE,  is  indeed 
another ! 

If  they  are  sincere  in  their  desire  for  good,  they  will 
surely  find  it  and  this  will  be  the  result: 

First.  All,  will  be  able  to  read  and  study  the  Bible, 
with  an  improved  understanding  of  its  message  to  man- 
kind, and  with  increased  hope  and  faith. 

Second.  The  Sufferer,  will  realize  that,  The  Pow- 
er, which  can  help  him,  can  also  heal  him;  and  this  will 
bring  into  his  consciousness  the  "Faith"  he  so  much 
wished  for,  even  the  faith  he  had  when  "his  Mother 
kneeled  him  down." 

Third.  The  Doctor  will  learn  to  talk  and  think, 
less  of  disease  and  more  about  health;  his  prescriptions 
will  be  fewer  and  shorter;  he  will  consider  more  the 
Real  force  which  heals;  and  his  success  will  be  more 
apparent. 

Fourth.  Cousin  Joe  will  not  be  likely  to  invest  in 
the  "Universal  Family  Physician"  and  may  even  shun 
"Dusenberry's  Opedildock  and  Pills." 

And  last.  Our  dear  old  friend  the  minister  will  not 
only  realize  the  injustice  of  condemning  through  prej- 
udice, but  he  will  be  brought  to  a  study  of  the  Bible 
with  a  new  concept  of  its  meaning; — like  Job's  old 
friends  he  will  be  "amazed"  at  discovering  some  of  his 
old  mistakes;  that  "Multitude  of  years"  and  "Great 


JOB  OF  TODAY  235 

men"  are  indeed  "not  always  wise"  (Job,  32:7  and  9); 
and  that  Biblical  Truth  is  not  confined  within  the  walls 
of  Theology,  as  he  had  formerly  believed.  Then  will 
his  kindness  grow  more  kind,  his  charity  more  chari- 
table and  he  will  realize  that  the  Light  of  Spiritual  Un- 
derstanding is  the  "True  Light,  which  lighteth  every 
man  that  cometh  into  the  world."  (John,  1:9.) 


Finis, 


UNIVER 


fiAJLIFORNI. 


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